Amblyopia Medication

  • Author: Kimberly G Yen, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 18, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Pharmacologic treatment with levodopa has been investigated and has showed transient improvement of vision in amblyopic eyes. However, the exact role of such pharmacologic agents has not been determined. Levodopa currently is not being used clinically.

Atropine penalization (with either ointment or drops) is an alternative method of blurring vision in the sound eye of patients who refuse patching. It may be applied once a day to patients in the preferred eye only.

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Cycloplegics

Class Summary

These agents are used to blur vision in one eye to treat amblyopia in the contralateral eye.

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Atropine ophthalmic (Isopto, Atropair, Atropisol)

 

A topically applied muscarinic antagonist, which blocks the action of acetylcholine. This results in paralysis of the iris sphincter and resultant pupillary dilation. Paralysis of the ciliary muscles also occurs, which inhibits accommodation and relieves pain in iridocyclitis. The medication is dispensed in a topical formulation, either an ointment or a solution.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Kimberly G Yen, MD  Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine

Kimberly G Yen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Gerhard W Cibis, MD  Clinical Professor, Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas School of Medicine

Gerhard W Cibis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and American Ophthalmological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

J James Rowsey, MD  Former Director of Corneal Services, St Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute

J James Rowsey, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Medical Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Florida Medical Association, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, Sigma Xi, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Ryan I Huffman, MD, with the literature review and referencing for this article.

References

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