Following on from Miriam Langeslag-Smith's masters: Amblyopia detection and treatment in a sample of New Zealand children, some of the results have recently been published in the BMJ open.  

http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/11/e009207.abstract

​This is the first comprehensive look into the effectiveness of the B4 school vision screening since its national implementation in 2008.  Further data on the results of treatment for these patients will be published next year. Watch this space ...

Since the start of this year Noirin Kiely Orthoptist from Manukau Super Clinic has set up a petition for patches on prescription. 

As we all know amblyopia is a treatable cause of reduced vision in childhood. Treatment often involves patching for several months or even years!
Often treatment is stopped due to the cost involved. Patches cost on average $1 each.

By making patches available on prescription we are helping New Zealand children to have a better level of vision for their future.

This petition will be sent to the Ministry of Health to support patches being made available on prescription.

Please help us get to a minimum of 200 signatures by the end of the year by sharing this online petition (link below) among your patients, friends and colleagues. The more signatures we can get the better! 

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/patches-on-prescription.html