Did you know that amblyopia, better known as “lazy eye”, is the most common cause of decreased vision among children, teenagers and middle-aged adults? Nearly 3 percent of the population suffers from amblyopia, and most people are not even aware they have it. Amblyopia is when vision in one of the two eyes is reduced because one of the eyes and the brain are not working together properly. If this goes undiagnosed and untreated, the “lazy eye” eventually becomes very weak from not being used, which can lead to permanent vision loss.
Amblyopia/”lazy eye” is typically caused by:
- Strabismus, which is the abnormal alignment of the eyes
- Unequal vision prescription of the eyes (nearsightedness and farsightedness)
- Cataracts, which are physical obstructions of vision
No matter what the cause, amblyopia cannot be treated with surgery; however, it can be successfully corrected with some various vision therapy techniques. Vision therapy can be performed at any age, but the earlier the treatment begins, the greater the results. If you are suffering from these symptoms and believe you have amblyopia, it is important to make an appointment with us, so that you can properly be diagnosed through specialized visual acuity testing.
Amblyopia symptoms include:
- Poor depth perception
- Blurred or double vision
- Constant eyestrain or headaches
- Squinting, tilting the head or closing one eye to see
- An inward- or outward-wandering eye
- Itchy or watery eyes
Amblyopia not only affects your vision, but the poor depth perception associated with amblyopia can also cause you to have problems with everyday activities such as driving, catching a ball, walking up steps and playing sports. If you are having a problem performing these daily tasks, vision therapy may be the solution.
Vision therapy consists of simple, age appropriate exercises that encourage both eyes to work together with the brain equally. Specialized computer and optical devices to include therapeutic lenses, prisms and filters are used during therapy to strengthen the weaker eye’s connection with the brain. Once a patient has reached the final stages of vision therapy, his or her newly acquired vision skills are reinforced through repetition and integration with motor and cognitive skills.
If you believe you or your child is suffering from amblyopia, please make an appointment with us for a specialized visual acuity test. Our office successfully treats patients of ALL ages suffering from amblyopia. If amblyopia is left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss. Why wait? Be proactive with your family’s eye care, and make an appointment today. Call us at 618-288-1489 or contact us here.