Emerging treatments

Refractive surgery for refractive amblyopia and amblyogenic refractive errors

In children with significant refractive errors who cannot successfully wear spectacles or contact lenses, refractive surgery is an option.[92][93][94][95][96][97]​ One meta-analysis of children ages 7-17 years undergoing refractive surgery for accommodative esotropia found improvement in both uncorrected and corrected visual acuity after refractive surgery.[98]​ Corneal haze was the most common complication.[98]

Binocular therapy

Luminopia One®, a dichoptic digital therapeutic, has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of amblyopia associated with anisometropia and/or mild strabismus in children ages 4-12 years, as an adjunct treatment to full-time refractive correction. Approval was premised on the results of a phase 3 trial comparing treatment and control (spectacle-only) groups, and on real-world evidence (RWE) generated through the Patients Using Prescription Luminopia (PUPiL) Registry.[99][100]​​ Further research comparing binocular therapy with patching or atropine is warranted.[99][101]​​

Liquid crystal glasses

Liquid crystal glasses combine refractive correction and occlusion via a liquid crystal shutter that is electronically controlled by a microprocessor. Considered an alternative therapy by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.[1]​ Further research is required. 

Transcranial electromagnetic stimulation

Transcranial electromagnetic stimulation of the visual cortex may alter the excitability of neurons and affect neuroplasticity, potentially offering a viable treatment option for young adults with amblyopia when treatment is needed outside the critical period for normal visual development. Several reviews have reported on the effect of transcranial electromagnetic stimulation in adult amblyopia.[102][103][104][105]

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