Usually amblyopia occurs because the brain decides to shut off the information from one of the eyes.

The most common trigger for amblyopia is heredity. The second most common reason is due to a large corrective prescription for one eye compared to the other. Hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism are the usual culprits. Amblyopia rarely occurs in patients with myopia (nearsightedness).

Another cause for amblyopia is a crossed or outwardly turned eyed. This last cause is controversial because it isn't known whether the eye turn occurs because of amblyopia or vice versa.
The treatment of amblyopia is to wear a patch over the good eye for extended periods. It is best to patch children age six and younger. This is the period when the brain can most easily adapt to accept information from the lazy eye.

It is also best to combine patching with visual activities that place high demands on the amblyopic eye. Such activities include crossword puzzles with small print, video games, eye tracking or other activities as prescribed by your eye doctor.

In combination with patching, the amblyopic eye needs to be corrected with glasses if deemed necessary by your eye doctor. However, if you child has experienced sudden vision loss, don't assume it is amblyopia, as serious diseases can also cause vision loss. Pediatric eye exams and school vision screenings are the most important factor in diagnosing

If you are experiencing the symptoms described above please call one of our offices to discuss any further questions you may have or to schedule an appointment.