Amblyopia / Strabismus > Amblyopia
Amblyopia
Amblyopia is commonly referred to as a "lazy eye". Amblyopia is a developmental problem of reduced vision that is not correctable to 20/20 with any prescription or surgery and is not a result of eye disease. This usually occurs because the eye did not receive proper stimulation during the first few years of a child's life while the visual system was developing.
There are two types of amblyopia (lazy eye): refractive and strabismic. Refractive amblyopia can develop when there is a large difference in the power or prescription of the eyes. For example, if one eye is much more farsighted than the other eye, it receives a blurry image compared to the stronger eye. The brain ignores the image from the blurry eye, to avoid confusion of seeing a blurry image simultaneously with a clearer image. Because of this suppression of the weaker eye, the associated visual pathway doesn't develop to the same level of sharpness as the other eye due to a lack of a clear image to stimulate those nerves. Passive treatment for this type of amblyopia is patching the stronger eye to force use of the "lazy" eye. Patching for amblyopia or lazy eye requires a full prescription in place and should be done during stationary activities to avoid harm or injury while using the weaker eye.
Strabismic amblyopia is when the two eyes are not straight. The brain suppresses or ignores the image from the eye that drifts or wanders to avoid seeing double vision. Long term suppression of one eye leads to amblyopia since the brain is not using that eye.
The best treatment for lazy eye or amblyopia is Vision Therapy. Surgery cannot treat amblyopia alone. Surgery may decrease the amount of an eye turn cosmetically, but Vision Therapy is still needed to train the eyes to work together and to stimulate the weaker eye to track, fixate and see. Multiple surgeries are often required unless Vision Therapy is involved to train the brain how to use the eyes together.
Vision Therapy for amblyopia works on:
- Improving clarity of eyesight by stimulating the lazy eye. Patching one eye during Vision Therapy combined with recommended activities allows the weaker eye to be utilized.
- Straightening the eyes by improving eye muscle coordination.
- Gaining depth perception by training sensory fusion of the two images after eliminating suppression of one eye.
Vision Therapy can be successful at any age, but is recommended to begin as soon as possible to enjoy a lifetime of good vision. For more information, visit the College of Optometrists in Vision Development at www.covd.org, as well as www.strabismus.org.