April 20, 2009
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Patching compliance issues differ along income lines

SAN FRANCISCO — A survey of parents of children undergoing occlusive amblyopia therapy found the reasons given for patching compliance difficulties differed between high-income and low-income families.

Rebecca S. Leenheer, MD, presented the results of the survey here at the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus meeting.

"Low-income parents cited the cost of patches, allergic reactions and children removing the patch as most important, while high-income parents desired more physician explanation and contact," Dr. Leenheer said.

The high-income group was defined as those with private insurance and the low-income group as those using Medicaid to pay for medical treatment, according to Dr. Leenheer. A scripted interview was conducted with 49 parents or caregivers of children undergoing patching therapy — 24 were defined as low income and 25 were high income.