Visual outcome after part time patching therapy in amblyopic children

Record of patients attending the pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic run by an NGO Vision and Literacy international (Canada) Rawalpindi was examined. Patients who completed follow up period of at least 6 months were included. Total 115 patients were found to be affected by Amblyopia. Only fifty two of the patients fulfilled the criteria of inclusion. All the patients has best-corrected visual acuity checked by methods appropriate to age. Cycloplegic refraction was performed in every case. Fundus and slit lamp examination was done in every case to rule out organic pathology of retina and optic nerve. Glasses were prescribed where required and patching schedule prescribed. Patients were examined every six weeks for at least six months. On every visit vision was recorded and Cycloplegic refraction repeated where indicated. Out of total 2393 patients 115 were found amblyopic. Out of these 63 patients (54.78%) were lost to follow up. Rest 52 (46 %) completed at least six month of treatment. Of these twenty three were females and twenty nine were males. Ages ranged from 0-16 years. Thirteen patients had strabismus and rest had Anisometropic Amblyopia. Hypermetropia was found to be present in 44 patients (84.6 %), 6 has no significant refraction (11.53). Two patients were myopes (3.8%). Most of the patient exhibited varying degree of improvement except 10 who did not improve at all (19.2 %) 42 patient showed improved visual acuity (80.76 %). Shift towards right was observed. (author)