Background:
Limited evidence exists around health inequalities in amblyopia therapy. This cohort study explores amblyopia therapy outcomes and socioeconomic scores by postcode, across two boroughs within Greater Manchester.
Methods:
All available orthoptic records for school vision screening referrals from the academic year 2017-2018 were reviewed by one Research Orthoptist, to identify children diagnosed with unilateral amblyopia. Clinical data were extracted and the proportion amblyopia deficit corrected and appointment attendance rates over 1 year of therapy were calculated. Home postcodes were used to identify socioeconomic situation for each patient, by Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2019 and Townsend Deprivation Index 2011.
Results:
From 730 school screening referrals, 512 orthoptic records were accessible and 42 cases of unilateral amblyopia were identified. The median proportion amblyopia deficit corrected in 1 year was 51.0% (IQR 22.6-72.9). The median attendance rate was 87.5% (IQR 67.9-100.0); 47.6% of patients attended every appointment. No statistically significant relationships were found between socioeconomic score and the proportion amblyopia deficit corrected in a year (IMD: unstandardised beta coefficient 1.782, 95% CI -1.877 to 5.441, p = 0.331) or orthoptic clinic attendance rates (IMD: unstandardised beta coefficient -0.479, 95% CI -2.492 to 1.534, p = 0.633). A positive relationship was found between attendance rate and proportion amblyopia deficit corrected (unstandardised beta coefficient 0.743, 95% CI 0.213 to 1.274, p = 0.007).
Conclusion:
In two Greater Manchester community orthoptic services, amblyopia therapy outcome and clinic attendance rate were not related to individual socioeconomic scores by postcode. A positive relationship between orthoptic clinic attendance rate and amblyopia therapy outcome was found.
