Comparing two methods of treating amblyopia in children

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This trial evaluates the effectiveness of two treatment approaches for amblyopia in children aged 3 to under 13 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either simultaneous treatment with spectacles and patching or sequential treatment starting with spectacles followed by patching if necessary. The study will monitor visual acuity outcomes over a period of 56 weeks through regular follow-up visits. The goal is to determine which method yields better visual outcomes for children with amblyopia associated with anisometropia or strabismus.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 3 to \<13 years at the time of randomization
2. Amblyopia associated with anisometropia, strabismus, or both

   o Criteria for strabismic amblyopia: At least one of the following must be met:
   * Presence of a heterotropia on examination at distance or near fixation (with or without optical correction)
   * Documented history of strabismus which is no longer present (which in the judgment of the investigator could have caused amblyopia)

     * Criteria for anisometropia: At least one of the following criteria must be met:

       * 1.00 D difference between eyes in spherical equivalent (SE)
       * 1.50 D difference in astigmatism between corresponding meridians in the two eyes
     * Criteria for combined-mechanism amblyopia: Both of the following criteria must be met:
   * Criteria for strabismus are met (see above)

     * 1.00 D difference between eyes in spherical equivalent OR ≥1.50 D difference in astigmatism between corresponding meridians in the two eyes
3. No previous treatment for amblyopia, including no more than 24 hours of spectacle wear.
4. Investigator planning to initiate spectacle correction of refractive error meeting the following criteria based on a cycloplegic refraction that has been performed within 30 days:

   1. Full correction of anisometropia
   2. Full correction of astigmatism with the same axis found by the cycloplegic refraction
   3. Full correction of any myopia
   4. Hyperopia must not be under corrected by more than 1.50 D, and reduction in plus sphere must be symmetric in the two eyes.
5. At enrollment, single VA measured in each eye assessed in trial frames with the spectacle correction the investigator plans to prescribe, using the investigator's routine method as follows:

   * VA in the amblyopic eye 20/40 to 20/200 inclusive.
   * Age-normal VA in the fellow eye:40,41

     * 3 years: 0.4 logMAR (20/50) or better
     * 4 years: 0.3 logMAR (20/40) or better
     * 5-6 years: 0.2 logMAR (20/32) or better
     * 7-12 years: 0.12 logMAR (78 letters) or better
   * Interocular difference ≥ 3 logMAR lines (0.3 logMAR) or ≥ 15 letters o When participants return for the Spectacle Baseline / Randomization Visit with their new spectacles, they will need to meet the same criteria as above using the ATS-HOTV or E-ETDRS protocol after wearing the new spectacles for at least 10 minutes (based upon the mean of a test and retest of VA in those new spectacles).
6. Investigator is willing to prescribe spectacle wear followed sequentially by patching or simultaneous spectacles and patching treatment per protocol.
7. Parent understands the protocol and is willing to accept randomization.
8. Parent has phone (or access to phone) and is willing to be contacted by Jaeb Center staff or other study staff.
9. Relocation outside of area of an active PEDIG site for this study within the next 56 weeks is not anticipated.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Myopia greater than -6.00 D spherical equivalent in either eye.
2. Previous intraocular or refractive surgery.
3. Planned strabismus surgery in the next 56 weeks.
4. Any previous treatment for amblyopia (patching, atropine, Bangerter filter, vision therapy, or binocular treatment).
5. Previous spectacle or contact lens wear for more than 24 hours.
6. Parent and participant willing to forego option of contact lens wear for the duration of the study.
7. Ocular co-morbidity that may reduce VA determined by an ocular examination performed within the past 7 months (Note: nystagmus per se does not exclude the participant if the above VA criteria are met).
8. Severe developmental delay that would interfere with treatment or evaluation (in the opinion of the investigator). Participants with mild speech delay or reading and/or learning disabilities or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are not excluded.
9. Known allergy to adhesive patches.
10. Known allergy to silicone.

Where it's running

• UAB Pediatric Eye Care; Birmingham Health Care
  Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting
• University of Alabama at Birmingham
  Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting
• Midwestern University Eye Institute
  Glendale, Arizona, United States Recruiting
• Arizonia Pediatric Eye Specialists
  Phoenix, Arizona, United States Recruiting
• University of Arizona
  Tucson, Arizona, United States Recruiting
• Univ. of California- Berkeley
  Berkeley, California, United States Recruiting

+18 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Raymond T Kraker, MSPH
• Email: rkraker@jaeb.org
• Phone: 813-975-8690

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Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.