CHILDREN REFERRED FOR PLEOPTIC TREATMENT - A SURVEY ON ASPECTS CONSIDERING REFERRAL FOR EXAMINATION, ROLE OF SCREENING PROGRAMS, PREVIOUS THERAPY AND COMPLIANCE

  • 1 October 1988
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 66  (5) , 509-513
Abstract
The patient histories of 53 unselected children referred for pleoptic treatment were evaluated. The age of the patients ranged from 7 to 12 years, and the mean age was 8.8 years. Information concerning the history was obtained from a questionnaire answered by the parents. The data concerning the ocular conditions were available in the case records. In 83% of the children the diagnosis of functional amblyopia had already been made before school age. During the first 3 years of life altogether 38% were diagnosed outside of routine screening programmes. When the children caught by screening were added, the proportion of those diagnosed before the age of four was 45%. The practice of referring patients from the child health center to the ophthalmological examination was unsatisfactory in some children (19%). Poor compliance was noted still more often (at least in 58%). Occlusion therapy had been used by 92% of the children, and in 42% alternating complete occlusion had been prescribed.