Abstract
In 1997, the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) was formed to conduct clinical research in eye disorders that affect children.1,2 The primary focus of PEDIG involves studies that can be conducted through simple protocols with limited data collection and implemented by both university-based and community-based pediatric eye care practitioners as part of their routine practice. As of October 1, 2003, 135 investigators at 97 sites in North America have participated in at least 1 PEDIG study. A major focus of PEDIG has been the evaluation of different treatment modalities for amblyopia (the Amblyopia Treatment Study). Amblyopia was selected for study because it is the most common cause of monocular visual impairment in children and young and middle-aged adults,3,4 and opinions vary on the appropriate treatment regimens. Three randomized trials have been completed thus far, and 3 trials and 2 observational studies are currently in progress. The first PEDIG amblyopia trial compared patching of the sound eye versus instillation of atropine drops in the sound eye as treatments for moderate amblyopia (20/40 to 20/100) in children 3 to 7 years old.5–9 Amblyopia was due to unequal refractive error, strabismus, or both. Atropine blurs the vision in the sound eye through its cycloplegic effect that can last, at least partially, for up to 14 days. The group of children randomized to atropine treatment received 1 drop of 1% atropine in the sound eye daily; if by 4 months acuity had not reached 20/30 or improved from baseline by ≥3 lines, then any far-sighted correction in the spectacle lens of the sound eye was removed to augment the effect of the atropine. The patching group was initially prescribed daily patching for a minimum of 6 hours up to all waking hours at investigator … Address correspondence to Graham E. Quinn, MD, MSCE, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, One Children’s Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail: quinn{at}email.chop.edu
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