Amblyopia, often referred to as 'lazy eye,' is a vision development disorder that begins during early childhood. It typically affects one eye, causing decreased vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. This happens because the brain and the eye are not working together properly, leading the brain to favor one eye over the other.

 

The challenge with amblyopia is that it is not simply a problem of the eyes but rather a problem of the visual system. This includes how our brain controls how we perceive images. While one might assume that amblyopia impacts only the physical state of the eye, in reality, it also involves the brain's interpretation of what the eye sees.

 

Causes of Amblyopia

Amblyopia is typically caused by any condition that affects normal visual experience or use of the eyes. The most common causes include strabismus (an imbalance in the positioning of the two eyes), anisometropia (a significant difference in prescription between the two eyes), and blockage of an eye due to trauma, lid droop, or congenital cataract.

In the case of strabismus, the misaligned eye often sees a blurred image, leading the brain to ignore its signals and favor the other eye. Anisometropia, on the other hand, causes one eye to be more nearsighted or farsighted than the other. The brain tends to favor the eye with the clearer image, causing the other eye to become lazy or amblyopic.

 

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Amblyopia

The primary symptom of amblyopia is decreased vision in one eye, which may not be noticeable until it is detected during an eye examination. Children may not report that one eye is blurry, as that is the only way they have ever seen.  Children with amblyopia may squint, close one eye to see, or tilt their head in an unusual position. They may also have poor depth perception.

Diagnosing amblyopia involves a comprehensive eye examination. This includes a visual acuity test, where the child is asked to identify letters or shapes on a chart, a fixation preference test, a depth perception test, and testing to evaluate if suppression (the brain ignoring the image from one eye).  The doctor will perform a careful refraction to evaluate the prescription difference between the eyes. Additional tests to evaluate the amblyopic eye’s focusing and tracking abilities and eye health may be checked.

 

Treatment Methods for Amblyopia

The treatment for amblyopia aims at forcing the brain to pay attention to the images from the affected eye. The first step is always prescribing the best possible glasses prescription- which aims to improve vision in the amblyopic eye and improve how the eyes work together.  Amblyopia has been traditionally treated with patching therapy, or covering the better seeing eye to allow vision to develop in the amblyopic eye.  However, patching has its drawbacks as most kids don’t like wearing the patch on their good eye.  The underlying cause, such as strabismus or cataract, also needs to be addressed.

 

Another effective treatment method is vision therapy, which involves exercises designed to improve the coordination between the brain and the eyes.

 

What is Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy is a customized program of visual activities designed to correct specific vision problems and improve visual skills. It involves a series of exercises performed under the supervision of an eye care professional. These exercises are designed to improve the brain's ability to control eye alignment, eye movements, focusing abilities, and visual processing.

Vision therapy is not just about strengthening the eye muscles but about retraining the brain-eye connection. It's more like physical therapy for the visual system, including the eyes and the parts of the brain that control vision.

 

What are the Benefits of Vision Therapy for Amblyopia?

Vision therapy has shown immense benefits in treating amblyopia. It's an effective way to improve visual acuity, eye coordination, and depth perception. One significant advantage of vision therapy is that it addresses the root cause of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms.

 

Vision therapy can improve the visual function in children with amblyopia. It is particularly beneficial for those who have not responded to traditional treatments like patching or glasses.

 

Combat Amblyopia with Vision Therapy Today

The key to combating amblyopia lies in early detection and intervention. Regular eye examinations are critical, especially for young children. If you or your child has been diagnosed with amblyopia, don't lose heart. Treatment options, particularly vision therapy, can do wonders in improving vision and outlook.


 

For more information on amblyopia and how vision therapy can help, visit Vision Rehabilitation Associates at our office in Glenview, Illinois. Our professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional personal service all our patients. Please call (847)716-2340 to schedule an appointment today.