title: Parents' influence on the treatment of amblyopia in children.
abstract: Amblyopia in children is a great problem that has to be identified on time and treatment initiated as early as possible to achieve optimal therapeutic result. Therapeutic success depends greatly on the children's parents' collaboration. It was the reason for us to embark upon this study to evaluate the parents' role in amblyopia treatment and their influence on the final therapeutic result. The aim of the study was to assess compliance with therapy prescribed, the degree to which the parents understood their children's health condition, and whether they were satisfied with their child's ophthalmologist. The study included 105 parents divided into three groups of 35 persons according to their educational level. All study parents filled out a questionnaire. The children's visual acuity measured before and after prescribed therapy was compared with the parents' answers to the questions. Among 105 children, post-therapeutic improvement in visual acuity was recorded in 66 (62.8%) children, whereas the rest of 39 (37.1%) children showed no therapeutic success. Statistical analysis yielded no significant difference in the rate of therapeutic success according to parent's educational level (P = 0.61). The best results were obtained in children with highest therapy compliance. It is of utmost importance for the ophthalmologist to gain parents' trust, which then leads them to better compliance with the therapeutic measures prescribed. This mode of approach requires more time, which, unfortunately, may not always be possible due to the great number of visits the ophthalmologist has to cover during working hours. Frequent ophthalmologic follow ups are mandatory to be sure that therapy is performed correctly and to prevent the possible unfavorable effects of noncompliance.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Ophthalmology, Split University Hospital Center, Split, Croatia. ante.utrobicic1@st.t-com.hr
authors.forename: Dobrila
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karlica
authors.forename: Svjetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matijević
authors.forename: Davor
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galetović
authors.forename: Ljubo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Znaor
mesh_terms: D000550:Amblyopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D005139:Eyeglasses; D006801:Humans; D009988:Orthoptics; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity