Penalization in the treatment of amblyopia.

Penalization is a useful alternative to occlusion therapy in amblyopia of mild and moderate degrees and in preserving therapeutic gains made by previous occlusion treatment. Penalization at near, total, and alternating penalization are more valuable than penalization at distance. Because penalization does not prevent the development of visual deprivation amblyopia, unilateral atropine therapy must be used carefully in treating patients in an age group susceptible to occlusion amblyopia.