Patching in Children With Unilateral Congenital Cataract and Child Functioning and Parenting Stress

Parents may be concerned about the adverse outcomes of occlusion therapy in children treated for unilateral congenital cataract (UCC). To determine whether occlusion therapy in children treated for UCC with poor visual outcomes is negatively associated with poorer child and/or family functioning. This cohort study was conducted in 2023 using data collected between 2006 and 2016 in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS). IATS participants with a visual acuity (VA) of 20/200 or worse were included. Statistical analysis was performed from July 2022 to October 2023. Caregivers reported the mean daily minutes of patching during the 12 months prior to the VA assessment at 4.5 years of age. Patching was categorized as minimal (