A randomized trial of near versus distance activities while patching for amblyopia in children aged 3 to less than 7 years.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether performing near activities while patching for amblyopia enhances improvement in visual acuity.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
A total of 425 children, aged 3 to <7 years, with amblyopia (20/40-20/400) that was caused by anisometropia, strabismus, or both, and that persisted after treatment with spectacles.


METHODS
Children were randomized to 2 hours of patching per day with near activities or 2 hours of patching per day with distance activities. Instruction sheets describing common near and distance activities were given to the parents. Study visits were scheduled at 2, 5, 8, and 17 weeks. In weeks without a visit, weekly telephone calls were made to the parent to monitor and encourage compliance during the first 8 weeks.


METHODS
Masked assessment of visual acuity by isolated crowded HOTV optotypes at 8 weeks.


RESULTS
At 8 weeks, improvement in amblyopic eye visual acuity averaged 2.6 lines in the distance activities group and 2.5 lines in the near activities group (mean difference in acuity between groups, adjusted for baseline acuity, 0.0 lines 95% confidence interval, -0.3 to 0.3). The 2 groups also appeared statistically similar at the 2-, 5-, and 17-week visits. At the 17-week examination, children with severe amblyopia improved a mean of 3.6 lines with 2 hours of daily patching.


CONCLUSIONS
Performing common near activities does not improve visual acuity outcome when treating anisometropic, strabismic, or combined amblyopia with 2 hours of daily patching. Children with severe amblyopia may respond to 2 hours of daily patching.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001458:Bandages; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003867:Depth Perception / Q000502:physiology; D004215:Distance Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012683:Sensory Deprivation; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
Am Orthopt J. 1955;5:61-4
13292677
Am Orthopt J. 1968;18:73-4
5710897
Am Orthopt J. 1970;20:46-50
5425261
Ophthalmology. 2006 Jun;113(6):895-903
16751032
Arch Ophthalmol. 2003 May;121(5):603-11
12742836
Ophthalmology. 2003 Nov;110(11):2075-87
14597512
Trans Ophthalmol Soc U K. 1985;104 ( Pt 3):319-28
3861010
Arch Ophthalmol. 2001 Sep;119(9):1345-53
11545641
J AAPOS. 2005 Apr;9(2):129-36
15838439
Am J Ophthalmol. 2001 Dec;132(6):903-9
11730656