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Stability of Visual Acuity after the Cessation of Amblyopia Treatment

Review of the Literature

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Leah A. Walsh, M.Sc., O.C.(C.), C.O.M.T., Eye Care Team, IWK Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Ave., PO Box 9700, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3K 6R8.

Introduction and Purpose: The treatment of amblyopia in children is frequently discussed in the literature. Less attention, however, has been given to the durability of the visual acuity results attained with therapy. The objective of this review is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the existing literature, on the stability of visual acuity following cessation of amblyopia treatment, and to identify any gaps in the literature, which could guide future investigations.

Results: There did not appear to be any one consistent risk factor affecting the stability of vision after cessation of amblyopia treatment. Most of the reviewed studies varied with respect to lengths of follow-up visits, patient population, and method of visual acuity assessment. There was also a generalized lack of standardization of visual acuity measurements in these previous investigations. Only one of the studies analyzed was a prospective design.

Conclusion: The area of study in amblyopia is fraught with contradictions. It is obvious from this review that there exists uncertainty regarding the recurrence of amblyopia following treatment. Previous studies have failed to identify any common, predictive, influencing factors necessary for the maintenance of visual acuity after cessation of therapy. Also lacking is discussion on the potential role that therapy tapering plays in the recurrence of amblyopia following the cessation of treatment.

Key words: amblyopia, recurrence, stability