Amblyopia (also known as lazy eye) is a vision development disorder characterized by the lack or loss of development of clear vision in one or both eyes. It occurs in early childhood or infancy and is usually diagnosed by an eye doctor during a routine eye exam.
What Are the Symptoms of Amblyopia?
In most cases, this condition does not have any symptoms until it becomes severe. Here is a list of the most common symptoms of this condition:
- Double vision
- Bumping into objects on one side
- Poor depth perception
- Squinting
- Eye misalignment
- Blurry vision
What Are the Causes of Amblyopia?
There are three common causes of this disorder:
- Strabismus. In the condition, the eyes do not align with each other and do not look in the same direction at the same time.
- Anisometropic amblyopia. It is a condition characterized by unequal focus between the two eyes causing blurred vision.
- Stimulus deprivation amblyopia. It is a rare form of this disorder caused by the obstruction to the clear passage of light. Usually, one eye is affected, but sometimes it can affect both.
Treatment Options
Treatments for amblyopia are more effective the sooner they are started. The purpose of treatment options is to make the brain use the weaker eye to strengthen it. Here are the most effective treatments that an eye doctor may suggest:
- Eye patches. A child should wear an eye patch for at least a few hours a day. This treatment can last months and even years. The purpose of this treatment is to force the brain to use the images from the weaker eye, which makes the eye stronger.
- Eye drops. Your doctor may prescribe you eye drops that blur vision in the stronger eye, forcing the brain to use the weaker one.
- Glasses. It is a very common treatment option that helps prevent eye crossing, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.
- Surgery. It is a rare lazy eye treatment that is usually suggested for fixing other eye issues, such as cataracts for example.
Progressive Eyecare & Eyewear - Our Optometrist in Indianapolis and Fishers, IN
If you think you have a lazy eye and you are struggling with any of its symptoms mentioned here, contact Progressive Eyecare & Eyewear in Indianapolis and Fishers. We will conduct an eye exam in order to check your eyes' structure and make and accurate diagnosis of your condition. Our optometrist will work with you to make a prescription that will help treat your specific eye issue. Give us a call today if you have any questions or to learn more about our clinic.