Amblyopia
HIGHLIGHTED FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CARE
- Treatment of refractive error alone can improve visual acuity (VA) in children who have anisometropic, strabismic, or combined amblyopia. Visual acuity of children who have bilateral refractive amblyopia also can substantially improve with refractive correction alone.
- Most children who have moderate amblyopia (20/40 to 20/80) respond to initial treatment consisting of 2 hours of daily patching or weekend atropine.
- Following treatment of amblyopia caused by strabismus, anisometropia, or both, continued monitoring is necessary and additional treatment, if needed, is associated with long-term durability of the VA improvement.
- Suitable treatment options for amblyopia include optical correction, patching, pharmacological treatment, optical treatment, Bangerter (translucent) filters, and digital therapeutics, in addition to managing the underlying cause of amblyopia.
- Amblyopia treatment may be effective in older children and adolescents, particularly if they have not previously been treated.
Recommendation Grading
Overview
Title
Amblyopia
Authoring Organization
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Publication Month/Year
December 14, 2022
Last Updated Month/Year
August 9, 2023
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Guideline
External Publication Status
Published
Country of Publication
US
Document Objectives
Identify children at risk for amblyopia. Examine the child with amblyopia risk factors at the earliest possible age. Inform the patient, as appropriate, the family/caregiver, and the primary care provider about the diagnosis, associated conditions like refractive error and strabismus, treatment options, care plan, and prognosis. Treat infants and children who have amblyopia to improve visual function, and to reduce the likelihood of vision-related disability. Re-evaluate the child and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.
Inclusion Criteria
Male, Female, Adolescent, Child, Infant
Health Care Settings
Ambulatory, Hospital
Intended Users
Nurse, nurse practitioner, optometrist, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Diagnosis, Treatment, Management
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D000550 - Amblyopia
Keywords
Amblyopia, lazy eye, decreased vision
Source Citation
Cruz OA, Repka MX, Hercinovic A, Cotter SA, Lambert SR, Hutchinson AK, Sprunger DT, Morse CL, Wallace DK; American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus Panel. Amblyopia Preferred Practice Pattern. Ophthalmology. 2022 Dec 14:S0161-6420(22)00865-X. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.11.003. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36526450.