Comparsion of occlusion methods and penalization method in the treatment of different types of amblyopia

Amblyopia is the most common childhood vision disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1.6-3.5%. This developmental anomaly is characterized by loss of spatial vision in the presence of strabismus, refractive error and/or deprivation. Occlusion treatment and penalization are nowadays widely used amblyopia treatment methods.İn this prospective study 66 anisometropic, strabismic and mixst amblyopia cases were incuded which aplicant our clinic between, March 2007-December 2009. The cases were divided into 3 groups. Twenty-eight cases, consisting of group 1 were teated with classical part-time occlusion treatment, 22 cases consisting of group 2 were treated with atropine penalization and 16 cases consisting group 3 were treated with occlusion contact lenses full-time occlusion treatment. All cases begining, 3rd month and 6th month visual acuity were measured by the warious visual acuity chart and they were translate into logMAR units. Visual acuity differences were compared statistically.First group who have been performed KBPK begining visual acuity mean 0.70±0.25 logMAR, 3rd month visual acuity mean 0.42±0.23 logMAR, 6th month visual acuity mean 0.25±0.21 logMAR been approved. Second group who have been performed AP begining visual acuity mean 0.70±0.19 logMAR, 3rd month visual acuity mean 0.40±0.14 logMAR, 6th month visual acuity mean 0.22±0.13 logMAR been approved. Third group who have been performed OKTK begining visual acuity mean 0.77±0.17 logMAR, 3rd month visual acuity mean 0.49±0.24 logMAR, 6th month visual acuity mean 0.33±0.19 logMAR been approved.Statistically significant difference between the groups begining, 3rd month and 6th month visual acuity were not detected. The beginning, 3th and 6th months visual acuity of three amblyopia groups were similar. Compared to the initial levels, statistically significant recovery was observed in the visual acuity of amblyopia groups measured at the begining, 3rd and 6th months of treatment. Although no significant difference was found in visual acuity of three amblyopia subgroups 6 months after the completion of treatment.The classical occlusion treatment stil most commonly used, best known and most activity is believed amblyopia treatment. İn this study atropine penalization and occlusion contact lens treatment as succesfull as classical occlusion treatment were approved. AP an OCL treatment is good alternative because of medical, psychological and social problems in cases who can not be treated with classical occlusion treatment.