Compliance And Effectiveness Of Treatment Of Amblyopia Due To Uncorrected Refractive Errors In Children Aging Between 7 To 12 Years

Abstract

Background: Amblyopia is the most common cause of preventable visual disability in children. The successful outcome of treatment requires timely diagnosis as well as strict compliance. There is high percentage of children who fail to follow proper treatment protocol for amblyopia.

Aim: To study impact of age & various socio-economic factors on compliance in amblyopia treatment and to provide guidelines for the management amblyopia. 

Material and Methods: This was a prospective, interventional study on 50 children aging between 7 to 12 years, newly diagnosed to have amblyopia in one eye due to uncorrected refractive error.  Their visual acuity and compliance score was evaluated at 12 and 24 weeks.

Results: At the end of 12 weeks, (46%) children had improved visual acuity of at least one line which improved to (68%) at the end of 24 weeks.  Age at which amblyopia treatment had started was found to be important prognostic factor (P=0.166888). Non-realization of long-term effects by parents and inability of parents to give time were found to be most influential factors (62%) in children where no improvement was observed even after 24 weeks.

Conclusion:  The study showed that in an Indian population, socio-economic factors significantly influence the compliance of amblyopia treatment protocol. Amblyopia awareness programmes can improve compliance, making its treatment more effective.