Eccentric Fixation and Inverse Occlusion: Renewing Our Interest?

Abstract

The use of inverse occlusion and pleoptics came into favor in Europe and then in North America in the late 1940's, and fell out of favor less than 25 years later. Introduced as a method of promoting foveal fixation, and improving binocularity and vision in cases of eccentric fixation, it did not outperform conventional occlusion prescribed at an earlier age.In this issue, Godts and Mathysen provide a case series of 11 contemporary patients treated with inverse occlusion after patching failure. In response, this article reviews the procedures and goals of inverse occlusion and pleoptics using the historic information available, in attempt to ascertain whether there is an indication for renewing their use.

Keywords: Eccentric fixation; amblyopia; inverse occlusion; strabismic amblyopia.