Spectacle correction of heterophoria in hyperopic amblyopic children.

OBJECTIVE

To test the effects of corrective spectacles in hyperopic amblyopic children with heterophoria.

METHODS

Visual acuity, refraction and the amount of heterophoria on near (33 cm) fixation were measured before and after 3 weeks of spectacle-wearing in 30 hyperopic amblyopic children with heterophoria. The control group consisted of 20 emmetropic children age-matched to the patients.

RESULTS

Uncorrected eyes displayed hyperopic amblyopia accompanied by heterophoria. Corrective spectacles not only attenuated the hyperopia and amblyopia, but also changed the heterophoria to orthophoria. The amount of heterophoria before wearing spectacles was significantly different from that in emmetropic children; but after correction with spectacles, it was the same as that in the emmetropic controls.

CONCLUSION

Correction with spectacles is effective for the treatment of heterophoria in hyperopic children with amblyopia.