The authors report a lack of research comparing outcomes, appointment attendance and treatment compliance between those on Medicaid vs those with private insurance in the USA for amblyopia treatment. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of amblyopia treatment between these two cohorts, and impact of potential confounding factors. This was a retrospective review of 660 patients. Seventy-three met the inclusion criteria for this study; 28 with Medicaid (group 1) and 45 with private insurance (group 2). Visual acuity improved by an average of 2.9 lines in group 1 and by an average 3.0 lines in group 2 (non-significant). There were no significant differences in groups for numbers of missed appointments (important for those were followed up), distance travelled to attend appointments, type of amblyopia treatment and outcome. Significant differences were found for number of appointments attended with group 2 attending more; x3 more in group 1 did not attend any follow-up and therefore their outcome was unknown and likely to be poorer. Therefore, the authors urge clinicians to encourage and facilitate follow-up in patients known to be from low socioeconomic populations.
Amblyopia treatment outcomes across different US insurance groups
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
Visual acuity outcomes and loss to follow-up in the treatment of amblyopia in children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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