If you haven’t ever heard of amblyopia, it is a condition in which the eye and the brain aren’t working together the way that they should. Another term for this condition is a “lazy eye.” When a child has this condition, it could lead to vision problems down the road if it isn’t addressed. The good news is that this is a condition that is treatable and has a great success rate. Eyewear Candy Optical RX is here to explain a bit more about amblyopia and what can be done to fix it.
What is Amblyopia?
Well, first thing’s first, we need to understand what amblyopia is. Amblyopia occurs when the nerve pathway from one eye to the brain does not develop during childhood. Let’s delve into this further. When a child is born, until they turn 8 years old, the eyes and brain are forming connections that will carry throughout their lifetime. These connections can get interrupted when there are vision issues that aren’t being addressed. This is a bigger issue than it might sound. When these connections are interrupted, the brain might stop recognizing the images seen by one or both of the eyes. As this happens, over time the eye becomes weaker and loses vision strength. Once this happens, the eye is considered amblyopic.
Signs a Child has Amblyopia
The most difficult thing about amblyopia is that most children don’t complain about not being able to see. Mostly, because they don’t know any different. It usually isn’t discovered until a teacher notices that they are straining to see at school or a vision test is performed at a yearly checkup. Here are some of the most common signs that a child is struggling with amblyopia:
– Child often goes crosseyed
– A child might tilt their head to one side in an effort to see better
– There is significant squinting when trying to read
– A child has noticeably poor depth perception
How Amblyopia is Treated
There is more than one way to treat a child with amblyopia. Here are the most common treatments:
– Glasses: Often, glasses are prescribed to a child that is struggling with amblyopia. It helps the eyes to send clear images to the brain so that the brain can switch on the weak eye or eyes. This helps the brain and eyes work together more effectively so that normal vision develops.
– Eye Patch: Another common treatment for amblyopia is an eye patch. When the stronger eye is covered, it forces the weaker eye to become strengthened. Usually the patch is worn 2-6 hours each day while the child is awake. Sometimes wearing a patch can be a real challenge for kids though. Finding a distraction at first while they adapt can be helpful.
– Atropine Drops: These drops are put in the unaffected eye to make vision blurry so that the other eye can become stronger.
Eye Exams, Eyeglasses, Sunglasses & More in Delray Beach, FL (Just Minutes Away from Boca Raton, Highland Beach, Kings Point, Golf & Boynton Beach, Florida)
If your child is struggling to see, you can turn to Eyewear Candy Optical RX for an exam. We will help your child with any vision challenges they may be facing. Call us today!