Work

Comparative Outcomes of Amblyopia Treatment in High Astigmatism: Stability and Sustained Improvements

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Astigmatism is a major risk factor for amblyopia. While optical correction improves visual acuity (VA), the long-term treatment outcomes, particularly in children with high astigmatism, remain understudied. This study aimed to determine the treatment effects, time course, and visual outcomes in children aged 3–7 years with high astigmatism and compared their VA improvement with those with low astigmatism. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 63 children with untreated high with-the-rule astigmatism (≥+2.50 diopters [D]) and 46 with low astigmatism (≤1.50 D). The children with high astigmatism were classified based on their baseline best-corrected VA (BCVA) into good-VA (20/25 or better, n = 24), mild-VA-impairment (20/25–20/40, n = 19), and amblyopia (20/40 or worse, n = 20) groups. The primary outcomes include maximal improvement in mean BCVA post treatment, the cumulative probability of achieving a VA of 20/25 or better, and being within one line of the fellow eye. Results: The amblyopia, mild-VA-impairment, good-VA, and low astigmatism control groups showed mean improvements of logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of 0.36 ± 0.08, 0.15 ± 0.05, 0.03 ± 0.04, and 0.01 ± 0.04, respectively. Post treatment with optical correction and/or patching over a mean duration of 46.61 ± 35.22 weeks, amblyopia resolved in all affected children. In the mild-VA-impairment group, only one child did not respond successfully to the treatment. The mean final VA showed no significant intergroup differences (p = 0.115). No amblyopia recurrence was observed at a mean follow-up of 118.33 weeks post resolution. Conclusions: Timely optical correction and patching effectively improve VA in children with high astigmatism, achieving outcomes comparable to those with low astigmatism.

Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jcm14103577

Authors: Chia-Chen Hsu, Lung-Chi Lee, Hsu-Chieh Chang, Chun-Hao Huang, Ke-Hung Chien

Institutions: Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Tri-Service General Hospital Beitou Branch, Taipei Medical University, Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137