Amblyopia Treatment
Amblyopia is reduced vision in an anatomically normal eye The term lazy eye is used to describe it When does amblypia develop Amblyopia develops when any of the following conditions occur • Squint Strabismus eyes not positioned straight • There is a difference in power between the two eyes one eye focuses differently from the other • Cataract clouding of the lens • High or moderate power in both eyes • Severe ptosis droopy eyelids
Children under 9 years of age whose vision is still developing are at the highest risk for amblyopia Generally the younger the child is greater is the risk Why does amblyopia develop Amblyopia develops because when one eye is turned as in squint two different pictures are sent to the brain In a young child the brain learns to ignore the image of the deviated eye and see only the image of the better eye Similarly when there is difference in power between the two eyes the blurred image formed by the eye with greater power is avoided by the brain In order that the retina may capture an object it needs adequate light and visual stimulus When these factors are absent as in the presence of cataract amblyopia results A moderate or high degree of refractive power present in both eyes when not corrected early and adequately also results in amblyopia . Amblyopia can often be reversed if it is detected and treated early Cooperation of the patient and parents is required to achieve good results If left untreated or if not treated properly the reduced vision or amblyopia becomes permanent and vision cannot be improved by any means The most effective way of treating amblyopia is to make the child use the amblyopic eye Covering or patching the good eye to force the use of the amblyopic eye may be necessary to ensure equal and normal vision This can be achieved by prescribing proper spectacles if the patient is found to have refractive error removal of cataract when indicated, occluding the normal eye ,surgery when amblyopia is accompanied by strabismus.Occlusion refers to closure of the normal eye with a patch thus forcing the child to use the amblyopic eye Occlusion is done from a few hours to a few days depending upon the age of patient and the type and severity of amblyopia In cases experiencing less severe amblyopia partial occlusion such as that by making one glass translucent may be sufficient Older children can do reading exercises at home while patching the normal eye Those patients who are patching their eyes need periodic followup which is scheduled with an ophthalmologist Duration of treatment may extend from months to years The ophthalmologist will decide for how long the occlusion should be continued Loss of vision from amblyopia is preventable if treatment is begun early.
Amblyopia is reduced vision in an anatomically normal eye The term lazy eye is used to describe it When does amblypia develop Amblyopia develops when any of the following conditions occur • Squint Strabismus eyes not positioned straight • There is a difference in power between the two eyes one eye focuses differently from the other • Cataract clouding of the lens • High or moderate power in both eyes • Severe ptosis droopy eyelids
Children under 9 years of age whose vision is still developing are at the highest risk for amblyopia Generally the younger the child is greater is the risk Why does amblyopia develop Amblyopia develops because when one eye is turned as in squint two different pictures are sent to the brain In a young child the brain learns to ignore the image of the deviated eye and see only the image of the better eye Similarly when there is difference in power between the two eyes the blurred image formed by the eye with greater power is avoided by the brain In order that the retina may capture an object it needs adequate light and visual stimulus When these factors are absent as in the presence of cataract amblyopia results A moderate or high degree of refractive power present in both eyes when not corrected early and adequately also results in amblyopia . Amblyopia can often be reversed if it is detected and treated early Cooperation of the patient and parents is required to achieve good results If left untreated or if not treated properly the reduced vision or amblyopia becomes permanent and vision cannot be improved by any means The most effective way of treating amblyopia is to make the child use the amblyopic eye Covering or patching the good eye to force the use of the amblyopic eye may be necessary to ensure equal and normal vision This can be achieved by prescribing proper spectacles if the patient is found to have refractive error removal of cataract when indicated, occluding the normal eye ,surgery when amblyopia is accompanied by strabismus.Occlusion refers to closure of the normal eye with a patch thus forcing the child to use the amblyopic eye Occlusion is done from a few hours to a few days depending upon the age of patient and the type and severity of amblyopia In cases experiencing less severe amblyopia partial occlusion such as that by making one glass translucent may be sufficient Older children can do reading exercises at home while patching the normal eye Those patients who are patching their eyes need periodic followup which is scheduled with an ophthalmologist Duration of treatment may extend from months to years The ophthalmologist will decide for how long the occlusion should be continued Loss of vision from amblyopia is preventable if treatment is begun early.
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