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Optical treatment of amblyopia in older children and adults is essential prior to enrolment in a clinical trial
Author(s) -
Gao Tina Y.,
Anstice Nicola,
Babu Raiju J.,
Black Joanna M.,
Bobier William R.,
Dai Shuan,
Guo Cindy X.,
Hess Robert F.,
Jenkins Michelle,
Jiang Yannan,
Kearns Lisa,
Kowal Lionel,
Lam Carly S. Y.,
Pang Peter C. K.,
Parag Varsha,
South Jayshree,
Staffieri Sandra Elfride,
Wadham Angela,
Walker Natalie,
Thompson Benjamin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/opo.12437
Subject(s) - anisometropia , stereoscopic acuity , medicine , strabismus , visual acuity , refractive error , clinical trial , optometry , ophthalmology , binocular vision , ocular dominance , pediatric ophthalmology , near vision , psychology , visual cortex , pathology , artificial intelligence , neuroscience , computer science
Purpose Optical treatment alone can improve visual acuity ( VA ) in children with amblyopia, thus clinical trials investigating additional amblyopia therapies (such as patching or videogames) for children require a preceding optical treatment phase. Emerging therapies for adult patients are entering clinical trials. It is unknown whether optical treatment is effective for adults with amblyopia and whether an optical correction phase is required for trials involving adults. Methods We examined participants who underwent optical treatment in the Binocular Treatment for Amblyopia using Videogames ( BRAVO ) clinical trial ( ANZCTR ID : ACTRN 12613001004752). Participants were recruited in three age groups (7 to 12, 13 to 17, or ≥18 years), and had unilateral amblyopia due to anisometropia and/or strabismus, with amblyopic eye VA of 0.30–1.00 log MAR (6/12 to 6/60, 20/40 to 20/200). Corrective lenses were prescribed based on cycloplegic refraction to fully correct any anisometropia. VA was assessed using the electronic visual acuity testing algorithm (e‐ ETDRS ) test and near stereoacuity was assessed using the Randot Preschool Test. Participants were assessed every four weeks up to 16 weeks, until either VA was stable or until amblyopic eye VA improved to better than 0.30 log MAR , rendering the participant ineligible for the trial. Results Eighty participants (mean age 24.6 years, range 7.6–55.5 years) completed four to 16 weeks of optical treatment. A small but statistically significant mean improvement in amblyopic eye VA of 0.05 log MAR was observed ( S.D. 0.08 log MAR ; paired t ‐test p < 0.0001). Twenty‐five participants (31%) improved by ≥1 log MAR line and of these, seven (9%) improved by ≥2 log MAR lines. Stereoacuity improved in 15 participants (19%). Visual improvements were not associated with age, presence of strabismus, or prior occlusion treatment. Two adult participants withdrew due to intolerance to anisometropic correction. Sixteen out of 80 participants (20%) achieved better than 0.30 log MAR VA in the amblyopic eye after optical treatment. Nine of these participants attended additional follow‐up and four (44%) showed further VA improvements. Conclusions Improvements from optical treatment resulted in one‐fifth of participants becoming ineligible for the main clinical trial. Studies investigating additional amblyopia therapies must include an appropriate optical treatment only phase and/or parallel treatment group regardless of patient age. Optical treatment of amblyopia in adult patients warrants further investigation.