title: Patching compliance with full-time vs. part-time occlusion therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Amblyopia is commonly treated with part-time occlusion (PTO) therapy. We have made two anecdotal observations regarding this therapy. First, children undergoing full-time occlusion seem to have better success and compliance rates. Secondly, a subset of children exists that fail PTO but can improve with more aggressive therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review where treatment, visual outcome, and compliance scores were recorded. Compliance was graded on percent adherence reported by family. Patients scored “1” (for no compliance), “2” (for 1–25% of prescribed treatment performed), “3” (for 26–50%), “4” (for 51–75%), or “5” (for 76–100%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-six children were enrolled in the study: forty-five were treated with part-time occlusion, twenty-two were treated with full time occlusion (FTO), and nine had a history of failed PTO and were subsequently treated with FTO. Visual outcomes for FTO versus PTO were not statistically significant (P = 0.82). However, compliance rates in FTO were significantly better (P = 0.02). Of the nine patients that failed PTO, four improved an average of three lines with full-time occlusion, and five had no change with more aggressive patching.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms previous reports of similar visual outcomes between PTO and FTO. However, compliance rates for FTO seem to be higher and some children who have failed PTO may improve with FTO.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Biernacki
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fraine
authors.forename: Neva
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Kelsie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haskins
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012683:Sensory Deprivation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity