Alternating penalization in the prevention of amblyopia recurrence.

Improved or normalized visual acuity in a formerly amblyopic eye has a tendency to deteriorate unless all amblyopiogenic factors are eliminated. As this can only be rarely accomplished, continued therapy to maintain optimal acuity in the formerly amblyopic eye is essential. Optic penalization of each eye by two pairs of spectacles, overcorrecting each eye on alternate days, has been effective in preserving visual acuity in 16 patients who had been successfully treated for strabismic or anisometropic amblyopia. This maintenance therapy is continued until the patient is no longer susceptible to a recurrence of amblyopia.