To determine the practice pattern of ambyopia treatment among Iranian ophthalmologists and optometrists in 2012

This cross-sectional study was performed during the Iranian Society of Ophthalmology annual meeting in 2012 through a questionnaire containing demographic information and 20 closed-answer questions based on ATS’ results. The questions were classified into seven categories and the sum of correct scores was 100. For comparing the scores, optometrists and pediatric ophthalmologists were considered as the case group (153), while other practitioners (general ophthalmologists and other subspecialists) were regarded as the control group (256). Criteria for inadequate, fair and good knowledge were considered by scores of < 50, 50 to 70 and >70 respectively.

Overall, 409 participants completed the questionnaire including 24 pediatric ophthalmologists and 129 optometrists as case group and 256 as control group. Mean scores of the case group were significantly higher than the control group in all 7 categories and in 5 of them the differences were statistically significant. The worst and best scores were related to atropine (12%) and visual acuity improvement with glasses (93%), respectively; scores for other questions were about 50%. In all categories except prescription of Atropine and recurrence, mean score of females are more than male participants.

Based on the results of the current study, knowledge about amlyopia therapy seems to be overally fair and should be improved by more education. We suggest planning more CME courses focusing on updates of amblyopia treatment.