Practice patterns in the management of amblyopia: A survey study

Purpose: To characterize current practice preferences of pediatric ophthalmologists in the management of amblyopia and whether these are influenced by demographic variables. Methods: A 10-question survey was distributed to all pediatric ophthalmologists and fellows attending the Annual Joseph H. Calhoun Pediatric Ophthalmology Forum at Wills Eye Hospital in 2016. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information and clinical management of amblyopia using clinical scenarios commonly encountered in pediatric ophthalmology practice. Results: Of the 133 pediatric ophthalmologists who attended, 74 completed the survey, all of which were included in the data analysis. Seventy-six percent of respondents prescribed refractive correction to a 3 year old with untreated anisometropic amblyopia prior to initiating occlusion therapy. For a child with coexisting exotropia, 57% recommended refractive and occlusion therapy until significant visual improvement, then surgery; however, 30% would perform surgery earlier. Fifty-seven percent stopped occlusion therapy at 10 years of age or older. Sixty-four percent estimated a patient patching compliance rate of 50% to 75%. There was no significant relationship (P < .05) between any of the demographic variables, indicating that no group was more or less likely to respond to the question in any way. Conclusions: This study highlights the lack of a unified approach to certain aspects of amblyopia management. Physician-related demographic variables did not significantly affect clinical decision-making; however, variation did exist among respondents, a finding that warrants further investigation.