Arq. Bras. Oftalmol. 2025;88 (2 )
:1-11
| DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.2023-0281
Abstract
This study aimed to propose a guideline for amblyopia treatment and follow-up. Studies show that amblyopia leads to a series of perceptual deficits, including loss of visual acuity, stereoacuity, and contrast sensitivity. Perceptual changes are also found in the sound eye, such as those involving the types of motion perception. The gold standard of treatment remains the prescription of eyeglasses, when indicated, and patching of the dominant eye. The treatment is mostly effective in patients aged <7 years and must be discontinued gradually, tapering off patching for at least 5 weeks. Atropine may be performed for penalization in hyperopic children whose amblyopic eye has better visual acuity under cycloplegia than the fellow eye. The discovery of significant neural plasticity in the amblyopic brain after the critical period opens possibilities for new treatment modalities even after childhood.
Keywords: Amblyopia; Atropine; Contrast sensitivity; Motion perception; Eyeglasses; Visual acuity; Prescriptions
Arq. Bras. Oftalmol. 2026;89 (4 )
:1-6
| DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.2025-0327
Abstract
Amblyopia is a leading, yet largely preventable, cause of visual impairment and is now recognized as a binocular neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by interocular suppression and widespread functional deficits. This narrative review synthesizes contemporary evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of amblyopia, with a focus on clinically applicable guidance. Conventional treatments—including optimal refractive correction, occlusion therapy, and pharmacologic penalization with atropine—remain highly effective when appropriately prescribed, titrated, and monitored for adherence, even among selected older children. Emerging binocular approaches, such as dichoptic digital therapies, perceptual learning, and short-term monocular deprivation, aim to restore binocular balance. Although these strategies may yield improvements in stereopsis and contrast sensitivity, their effects are generally modest and task-specific. Overall, current evidence supports the integration of traditional and novel approaches into etiology-specific, measurement-driven care pathways. Future research should prioritize functional outcomes, long-term durability, and real-world effectiveness.
Keywords: Amblyopia/diagnosis; Amblyopia/physiopathology; Amblyopia/epidemiology; Binocular vision; Vision disorders; Review