AIM: To observe the difference of treatment of amblyopia while children were kept in hospital or training in family.

METHODS: The amblyopia children from nursery were examined, 90 patients(114 eyes)were randomly selected for the treatment group, and 90 patients(108 eyes)were selected as control in April 2011 in Shenyang City. All of the subjects refracted with 1% atropine, then wear glasses. The dominant eye was covered if both eyes differ by more than two lines. Amblyopia patients from the hospital group were treated in hospital, while the control group in family.Visual acuity was observed and the efficacy was evaluated monthly. The follow-up lasted for 6 months.

RESULTS: After 6 months' treatment, for the hospital treatment group, invalid in 0 case, improvement in 18 cases(20%), almost recovery in 72 patients(80%). For the family treatment group at 6 months invalid 9 cases(10%)(2 cases gave up training), improvement in 22 cases(73%), almost recovery in 15 cases(17%). There was a significant difference(χ²=73.77, P<0.005).

CONCLUSION: For the treatment of amblyopia, children kept in the hospital for treatment is better than treated in family.