Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group Amblyopia Treatment Review

Abstract

IntroductionThe Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), formed in 1997, has been dedicated to clinical research of eye diseases affecting children. Over the last three years, PEDIG has studied the efficacy of amblyopia treatment regimes, and has followed the long-term outcomes of these regimes. These studies are known as the Amblyopia Treatment Studies (ATS) and have been sorted into eight categories. Four of these have been published and four are still awaiting publication.MethodA survey of ophthalmologists and orthoptists attending a seminar in British Columbia, Canada. They were questioned as to how they treat amblyopia in light of the PEDIG studies.ResultsNinety percent continue to use patching as their first method of treatment in moderate amblyopia. Over 50% will patch four hours/day or more to begin treatment and 83% will use near exercises to augment the patching. Two thirds will begin patching six or more hours/day in patients with severe amblyopia. Those that use atropine, use it daily rather than on weekends. Most felt that amblyopia could be treated to age 12 years and some thought it could be treated to 14 years.ConclusionMost ophthalmologists and orthoptists taking the survey have not significantly changed their approach to amblyopia treatment in light of the recent PEDIG studies.