Drops Are Easier Fix for Lazy Eye

Successful treatment of amblyopia, or lazy eye, in children requires that a patch be worn over the good eye for all or part of the day, forcing the lazy eye to work. But many kids resist this.

Now research from the National Eye Institute has found that eye drops work as well as a patch and are easier to use. The drops, containing the drug atropine, are placed in the good eye, dilating the pupil and temporarily causing blurry vision in that eye. This forces the child to use the amblyopic eye, improving vision in it.

In the study, published last week in the Archives of Ophthalmology, 215 children under age 7 used a patch and 204 received atropine. Although the lazy eye initially improved faster in the patch group, both groups had similar success rates after six months of treatment--79% for the patching group and 74% for the atropine group.

The study is sure to be welcome news for parents whose young children resist wearing a patch. As many as 3% of children have vision impairment due to amblyopia, and compliance with treatment is crucial. Unless the defect is treated in early childhood, the condition can persist into adulthood.

“The daily burden to administer treatment for amblyopia falls on the parent,” says Dr. Michael Repka, study chairman. “Since patching and atropine work equally well, the choice of treatment can be made by the eye care professional in consultation with the parent.”

The study will continue for another year to determine whether either approach has any longer-term advantages.

Atropine, which is used once a day, costs about $10 for a six-month supply. Children using atropine need to wear sunglasses outdoors to offset light sensitivity.