Improved Binocular Outcomes Following Binocular Treatment for Childhood Amblyopia

• Published in: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2018-03, Vol.59 (3), p.1221-1228
• Main Authors: Kelly, Krista R, Jost, Reed M, Wang, Yi-Zhong, Dao, Lori, Beauchamp, Cynthia L, Leffler, Joel N, Birch, Eileen E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Eye Movements, Strabismus, Amblyopia and Neuro-Ophthalmology
• ISSN: 1552-5783; 0146-0404; 1552-5783
• DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-23235

Childhood amblyopia can be treated with binocular games or movies that rebalance contrast between the eyes, which is thought to reduce depth of interocular suppression so the child can experience binocular vision. While visual acuity gains have been reported following binocular treatment, studies rarely report gains in binocular outcomes (i.e., stereoacuity, suppression) in amblyopic children. Here, we evaluated binocular outcomes in children who had received binocular treatment for childhood amblyopia. Data for amblyopic children enrolled in two ongoing studies were pooled. The sample included 41 amblyopic children (6 strabismic, 21 anisometropic, 14 combined; age 4-10 years; ≤4 prism diopters [PD]) who received binocular treatment (20 game, 21 movies; prescribed 9-10 hours treatment). Amblyopic eye visual acuity and binocular outcomes (Randot Preschool Stereoacuity, extent of suppression, and depth of suppression) were assessed at baseline and at 2 weeks. Mean amblyopic eye visual acuity (P < 0.001) and mean stereoacuity improved (P = 0.045), and mean extent (P = 0.005) and depth of suppression (P = 0.003) were reduced from baseline at the 2-week visit (87% game adherence, 100% movie adherence). Depth of suppression was reduced more in children aged