Dichoptic vs occlusion therapy outcomes for anisometropic amblyopia
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe

The authors evaluated a binocular Tetris game for Android phones and compared its effectiveness, compliance and adverse events with part-time patching in children with anisometropic amblyopia. This was a prospective randomised study. Group 1 played the game for two hours daily, seven days per week for three months using red / green anaglyph glasses over their own glasses (if worn). Group 2 received six hours daily occlusion for seven days per week over three months. Follow-up measurements were done at one, two and three months. The study included 60 patients with 30 in each group. Five were lost to follow-up. Mean age was 10.5 ± 3.2 years. Mean spherical equivalent was 3.60 ±1.70D. Groups were similar for age, gender and amount of anisometropia. In Group 1, best corrected visual acuity was 0.74 ±0.19 logMAR, improving to 0.53 ±0.18. In Group 2, best corrected visual acuity was 0.70 ±0.19 improving to 0.49 ±0.19. The improvement was not significant between groups – both improved significantly. Near visual acuity also significantly improved. In Group 1 contrast sensitivity was 0.33 ±0.14 and, in Group 2 was 0.23 ±0.14, p=0.01. Mean improvement in near stereoacuity was significant for Group 1 but not for Group 2. Compliance was better for Group 2 (78.6%) than Group 1 (55.6%). Results show similar outcomes for visual acuity at near and distance overall, but greater for Group 1 in older children and with greater improvement for contrast sensitivity and near stereoacuity. The authors propose this offers an alternative viable treatment option for at-home treatment of anisometropic amblyopia.

Comparison of dichoptic therapy vs occlusion therapy in children with anisometropic amblyopia: a prospective randomised study.
Roy S, Saxena R, Dhiman R, et al.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY AND STRABISMUS
2023;60(3):210-7.