Amblyopia

Published on

June 13, 2022

Amblyopia, or what most people refer to as a lazy eye, is a condition in which one eye can be corrected to 20/20 but the other eye cannot.

What are the major causes of amblyopia?

Strabismus - This condition can be caused by a number of factors. One of the most common causes is strabismus in which when one eye turns. This can be either an eye that drifts inward or an eye that drifts outward. In those situations, if the eye were a camera, then the right eye would take a picture and the left eye would take a picture. Those pictures do not line up when they reach the brain. Therefore, the brain suppresses or ignores one image. Eventually, this will cause that eye to become the lazy eye, which cannot be corrected to 20/20 for an extended period of time.
Refractive error - Amblyopia can also be caused by equal and high amounts of refractive error. These can be nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, or we can have unequal amounts of refractive error, meaning one eye may have a high amount of farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism, while the other eye has little to no prescription.

How can amblyopia be treated effectively?

In order to treat amblyopia effectively, an individual must first get the most appropriate prescription to enable them to see to the best of their ability, followed by vision therapy, which is very effective for restoring binocular vision. Traditionally, it was believed that the best way to treat amblyopia was to patch the stronger eye in order to force the brain to learn how to properly use the weaker eye. It is hoped that, once the patch is removed, the brain will learn how to use both eyes properly. Research has shown that patching alone is not ideal, rather a focus on reintegrating the weaker eye within a binocular field during vision therapy.

Schedule an appointment at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga

Please schedule an appointment with us by calling us at (423) 710 3965 or by visiting our website if you suspect that you or your child may have a lazy eye. Our team of eye care professionals will be happy to check if your child has amblyopia and if they can be helped through vision therapy.

Testimonials

Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.

Amanda T.

Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.

Alexa H.

Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.

He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.

It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!

Charlotte M.

Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.

Thank you!

Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!

Kelly O.

When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!