Unlocking Clear Vision: Understanding Amblyopia and How to Treat It

Amblyopia, also called lazy eye, is a condition that affects about 2-3% of the population. It occurs when the brain fails to properly process the visual information from one eye, leading to reduced visual acuity in that eye. The condition typically affects children but can also occur in adults.

Amblyopia can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It can lead to difficulties with depth perception, reading, and other activities requiring good vision. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for amblyopia to help restore clear vision. 

Causes of Amblyopia

Amblyopia occurs because of disruption in the normal development of the visual system. It occurs during early childhood. The most common cause of amblyopia is strabismus, a condition in which the eyes are not well aligned. 

When you have one misaligned eye, your brain receives two different images. The effect confuses and suppresses one eye’s visual input. The suppression can result in reduced visual acuity in the affected eye.

Another common cause of amblyopia is a refractive error. It occurs when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing on the retina. It can lead to blurred vision, prompting your brain to suppress the visual input from that eye.

Diagnosis

Amblyopia can be hard to diagnose, especially in young children who may not communicate their visual symptoms. Regular eye exams are vital for identifying and treating amblyopia before it leads to permanent vision loss.

During an eye exam, your eye doctor will perform different tests to evaluate visual acuity and eye alignment. They will also examine your eye health. The most common test for the conditions is the visual acuity test, which measures how well each eye can see letters or shapes on a chart from 20 feet.

Treating Amblyopia With Glasses

Your eye doctor may prescribe glasses to correct your eye problem if you have amblyopia caused by a refractive error. Glasses can help improve your visual acuity and reduce the need for your brain to suppress the visual input from the affected eye.

In some cases, patching or blurring the stronger eye may be necessary to encourage the brain to use the weaker eye. It can be done by covering the stronger eye with a patch or applying a special blurring filter to the stronger eye’s glasses.

Treating Amblyopia With Vision Therapy

Vision therapy is a nonsurgical treatment for amblyopia. It involves a series of exercises and activities designed to improve your brain’s ability to process visual information. A trained therapist will work with you to improve your eye tracking, focusing, and other visual skills. 

It may involve using special computer programs, playing games, or performing exercises challenging the visual system.

Treating Amblyopia With Eye Muscle Surgery

Surgery may be necessary to realign your eyes in cases where amblyopia develops due to strabismus. Eye muscle surgery can help restore proper eye alignment. It can reduce the suppression of one eye’s visual input and improve visual acuity.

Eye muscle surgery typically happens on an outpatient basis. It is usually well tolerated by patients. But there are risks involved, as with any surgical procedure, so discuss its benefits and risks with your eye doctor.

For more information on amblyopia, visit Perspective Eye Care and Eye Wear at our office in Cullman, Alabama. Call (256) 692-1464 to schedule an appointment today.