Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What type of therapy includes using cycloplegic agents in the preferred eye for treating amblyopia?

1. Occlusive therapy

2. Penalization

3. Behavioral therapy

4. Vision therapy

The correct answer is: Penalization

Using cycloplegic agents in the preferred eye to treat amblyopia falls under penalization therapy. This treatment strategy involves blurring vision in the stronger eye to encourage the weaker eye to be used more actively. Cycloplegic agents temporarily paralyze the ciliary muscle, preventing accommodation in the preferred eye and making it less effective for clear vision. This forces the brain to rely more on the amblyopic eye, promoting its development and improving overall visual acuity. Penalization is particularly beneficial for children who already have some level of cooperation and understanding regarding their therapy, as it can be less obstructive than total occlusion methods. This approach effectively shifts the visual reliance from the dominant eye to the amblyopic eye, fostering neural pathways that might be weak due to lack of usage. Other therapies such as occlusive therapy solely involve covering the better-seeing eye, whereas behavioral and vision therapies focus on exercises and activities but do not employ pharmacological agents like cycloplegics to manage the condition.