How is lazy eye treated?

Published on

April 14, 2022

Lazy eye, medically known as amblyopia, is a condition in which one or both eyes are not correctable to 20/20 regardless of whether the individual wears the prescription glasses or contact lenses.

Causes

There are three causes of amblyopia:

It is most commonly caused by high prescription glasses, either in both eyes or in one eye (which will cause a big difference in the prescription in both eyes).
An eye that wanders in or out, in any direction, can cause amblyopia. This is usually the cause of most noticeable amblyopia.
Amblyopia may be caused by physical obstructions, such as cataracts or drooping eyelids.

Treatment

In order to achieve the best results in treating lazy eye, a combination of the following techniques is often used:

Optical correction

Each eye should have the appropriate optical correction to help achieve clear vision, in order to achieve optimal vision. It's imperative that the patient receives an accurate prescription for glasses since amblyopia is most commonly caused by very high optical prescriptions in one eye or both eyes.

Patching

For a long time, optometrists and ophthalmologists thought patching was the most effective treatment that could be offered. It presents a number of challenges, however. The most obvious problem is compliance because it is hard to get a child to patch for long periods of time every day. In addition to compliance, we also know that wearing eyepatch forces the brain to use the other eye but not necessarily to use both eyes together to achieve great vision. The hope with patching was that when the patch is removed the brain will be able to use both eyes simultaneously. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and for many patients patching alone is insufficient for the brain to start using both eyes together.

Vision therapy

Patching can come with certain challenges, and this is where vision therapy is extremely valuable. Vision therapy is designed to strengthen an individual's entire visual system, including their brains and their eyes, to ensure that they are all working together properly. A lazy eye develops when the visual system does not work together as a team, as the brain suppresses the weaker eye and only uses the stronger eye. During vision therapy, the brain is trained to communicate properly with both eyes through repeated exercises and activities.

Treating lazy eye at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga

At Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga, we create an individualized vision therapy treatment plan for each patient based on his or her visual skills and needs. When combined with moderate patching of the strong eye, vision therapy is extremely effective. Call our office at (423) 710 3965 to schedule a functional eye exam today.

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!!!