Success in ambylopia therapy as a function of age: a literature survey.

It is frequently stated that amblyopia is not correctable after the age of 6 years. Many practitioners report marked success for older patients. To evaluate these conflicting reports, we analyzed the results from 23 published amblyopia studies. Our analysis indicates that substantial numbers of patients over age 6 were successfully treated. Success rates under age 6 were not significantly better than those in older patients when the criterion for success was achievement of 20/30 acuity or better. When a criterion of 4 lines improvement was used, success rates at all ages under 16 were quite similar; in patients 16 and over, success by this criterion was significantly less frequent, but even in this group success was achieved by 42% of the patients.