In a normal functioning eye, the brain and the eye work in coordination with each other. The retina, along the back wall of the eye, works to send nerve signals to the optic nerve, which in turn communicates with the brain to translate what the eye is seeing. When one eye does not work correctly with the other, it is called Amblyopia, or sometimes Lazy Eye. This is a fairly common condition in children, occurring in 2 to 3 out of every 100 children.
What are the Causes of Amblyopia?
According to the National Eye Institute, “A common cause of amblyopia is the inability of one eye to focus as well as the other one. Amblyopia can occur when one eye is more nearsighted, more farsighted, or has more astigmatism. These terms refer to the ability of the eye to focus light on the retina.”
Are there any Treatment Options for Amblyopia?
For many children, treatment consists of physically patching or through medical intervention in the form of a drug called Atropine. Patching an eye helps train the weaker eye to work with the brain and allows vision to develop more completely. The results from a nationwide clinical trial3 showed that many children from ages 7 to 17 years old benefited from this form of treatment for amblyopia. Another form of treatment includes Atropine eye drops. This form of treatment can produce similar improvements. The drug temporarily blurs the child’s vision so that the he/she will use the eye with amblyopia, thus improving vision.
For more information on amblyopia contact Boston Eye Physicians and Surgeon at at 671-232-9600 or visit our website.
