| Abstract: | Objective: To compare the clinical effects of a visual virtual reality training system and a traditional method for amblyopia in children. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study. A total of 90 children (146 eyes) from 3 years to 12 years of age underwent treatment for amblyopia for the first time. They were divided into an experimental group (45 cases, 74 eyes) and control group (45 cases, 72 eyes). Children in the experimental group had treatment with a visual virtual reality training system, and the control group had conventional integrated therapy. Visual tests were conducted every month, and a stereopsis examination was conducted after 3 months. The efficacy and safety of the visual virtual realitytraining method was evaluated by comparing the effects for the two groups. Data were analyzed using t test, rank sum test, Chi-square test and Fisher exact test. Results: The total effective rate for the experimental group was 87%, and was 68% for the control, and the difference was significant (χ2 =7.086, P=0.008). The results were significantly different for the patients in the 3 to 6 age group (91% vs. 74%, χ2 =4.652, P=0.031). For mild amblyopia, the effective rate was 92% in experimental group, which was significantly better than the 75% in control group (χ2 =2.908, P=0.018). For anisometropic children the effective rate in the experimental group was significantly better than the rate in the control group (85% vs. 57%, χ2 =3.840, P=0.045). When the effective rates for the two treatments were compared at 1, 2 and 3 months, the effective rates in the experimental group (43%, 54% and 87%) were significantly better than the rates in the control group (24%, 40% and 68%) (χ2 =6.308, P=0.012; χ2 =2.779, P=0.016; χ2 =7.086, P=0.008). When stereopsis was compared after 3 months, stereopsis in the experimental group (72%) was better than that in the control group (61%)(χ2 =8.214, P=0.004). Conclusions: The efficacy of visual virtual reality training is better than traditional treatment, especially for children 3 to 6 years of age and for anisometropia amblyopia. Visual virtual reality training cannot only improve visual acuity, it helps to improve stereopsis as well. |
