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The human visual system is complex, this can lead to an incorrect diagnosis, which is why it is important to visit an optometrist that has extensive training and experience with lazy eye. A developmental eye exam performed by a developmental optometrist is recommended if a child is displaying symptoms of a lazy eye.
A lazy eye, referred to medically as amblyopia, is the result of improper development of the visual system which leads to a decrease in vision. A lazy eye usually only occurs in one eye, while the other eye is the stronger dominant one through which the person is able to see. However there are rare cases when both eyes can be amblyopic.
Binocularity is an essential term to understand how the visual system works. Monocular vision refers to the vision in each individual eye on its own. However, we are born with two eyes and therefore when discussing the visual abilities of each eye, it is important to also understand the visual skills of each eye and how it relates to the other eye, as both eyes are part of a team working with the brain to comprise the visual system. This is referred to as binocular vision which is when our eyesight is using both eyes together.
There are many binocular disorders which occur when both eyes are not working properly together. Some of the main ones include:
It’s possible for amblyopia to be confused with other binocular disorders. It requires a professional optometrist who is well trained in the field of developmental optometry to provide an accurate diagnosis of a lazy eye or any other binocular disorder. There are very precise tests performed in a comprehensive eye exam which assist the optometrist to reach the correct diagnosis without confusing different visual functions or disorders.
It is possible to confuse a lazy eye with other disorders especially a strabismus because these two conditions can coexist, as one can cause the other. The important thing to know is that even if one finds out in adulthood that they were misdiagnosed as a child, it is still possible to get treatment for the correct diagnosis using vision therapy.
A woman was diagnosed in her childhood with an untreatable lazy eye. This was an incorrect diagnosis, however the fact that it was deemed ‘untreatable’ turned out to be a blessing. Her lazy eye could have been corrected with a surgery which would have been entirely the wrong approach. Even if indeed it was a lazy eye, treating it with surgery is often ineffective and requires repeated surgeries.
She found out in adulthood that in fact she has convergence insufficiency which caused a strabismus. To break those terms down into explanations:
In our example, the woman has convergence insufficiency, meaning her eyes are not moving inwards in sync in order to focus up close due to the fact that there is a misalignment of her eyes and one eye is moving outwards. This could resemble a lazy eye, but it’s important to understand the intricacies of the visual system to be able to properly diagnose why the eye is wandering outward, in order to provide the proper treatment.
The good news is that even if there has been a wrong diagnosis, vision therapy is not limited by the age of the patient so it’s not too late to strengthen the visual system with a wide variety of visual skills. Vision therapy incorporates different visual activities to train the brain and both eyes to work together properly as a team.
It’s important to be checked by a developmental optometrist for various conditions such as amblyopia, in order to avoid a misdiagnosis. Our professional staff have extensive training and experience in this field. Please schedule a developmental eye exam by calling (423) 710 3965. Patients looking for a developmental eye exam visit our clinic from all over Tennessee, and we are proud to be a leading provider of developmental vision services for patients from Hixson, Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Middle Valley.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Seems much less frustrated with life
Reads non-stop and fast
Spelling abilities have been hugely improved
Seems much more confident
Thank You!!!
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!!!
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