What is Lazy Eye? Treatment in Northridge, CA
Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye is a deficiency in adequate vision development caused by the failure of the eyes to work in unison. With most cases of lazy eye the actual eyes are typically in good health yet the condition cannot be corrected by just the use of prescription lenses. When untreated lazy eye can result in severe visual disability, even blindness in one eye.
Amblyopia is the most frequently diagnosed vision disorder in children. Since it usually starts as an infant developmental problem, the disorder is often difficult to diagnose. Unless it is adequately treated at an early age, the likelihood of achieving normal vision is limited. Patients that don’t begin to be treated until adolescence or adulthood don’t typically find as successful outcomes as those who begin treatment early on.
This is why it is important to have your child’s eyes and vision tested at a young age. The American Optometric Association recommends that children receive a comprehensive optometric examination by the age of half a year and again by age three.
Causes of Lazy Eye
Lazy eye occurs when the eyes or visual system do not function in unison. One common cause is strabismus, a condition where the eyes are improperly aligned. Such misalignment results in eyes that cross in (estropia) or turn out (exotropia) and therefore aren’t able to work together. Sometimes amblyopia is caused when one eye is more nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic than the other eye. This is the result of a condition called anisometropia. On occasion, lazy eye is caused by other optical diseases such as a cataract or another structural problem.
Treating Lazy Eye
Lazy eye is treated by measures to achieve proper vision to both eyes. In addition to wearing prescription lenses, the most common way to do this requires strengthening the weaker eye by limiting the use of the better eye. A few treatment options exist to occlude the better eye and the treatment plan is selected based on the individual situation and the decision of the eye care professional.
Very often you will see a patch used to cover the strong eye. The patient is then forced to use the weak eye, which stimulates proper sight in the weak eye and helps the visual system in the brain develop properly. However success using a patch is dependent upon compliance with wearing the patch, which can be difficult particularly with children.
Some eye care professionals choose to use atropine. When a drop of atropine is placed in the better eye, this will impair the vision and therefore stimulate the patient to use the weaker eye.
Alternatives to these treatments include vision therapy also known as orthoptics to train the eyes to coordinate with each other and in some cases surgery to realign the eyes. Specialized contacts or other vision aides may also be employed.
Since lazy eye is the result of a disruption in the vision process, the younger the age at which treatment begins, the higher the chance of improvement. Nevertheless, there have been many cases in which teenage patients completed successful treatment and therefore anyone who thinks they or their child has lazy eye should consult immediately with their eye care professional. If you are in need of lazy eye treatment in Northridge, CA, be in touch to schedule an appointment. The sooner proper diagnosis and treatment are started, the sooner we can begin to repair your sight!
