Important Information About Amblyopia
Causes:
Any condition that causes problems with normal vision development can lead to amblyopia. Strabismus, a condition that causes the eyes to cross inward or outward, cataracts and one eye being more farsighted, nearsighted, or astigmatic are all causes of amblyopia. Strabismus must be constant, not intermitting, to cause amblyopia.
Symptoms:
Double vision is often the first symptom a child will notice. Physical signs can include eyes that turn inward, outward or up. There are not many symptoms associated with amblyopia.
Diagnosis:
Children should be taken to an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam during infant and toddler years to rule out all eye problems, including amblyopia, because eye conditions are often not physically visible. Only eye professionals can detect certain problems. Visual acuity tests will be preformed, sometimes using cycloplegic drops in order to detect amblyopia.
Treatment:
Amblyopia is treated when the child is made to use the weak eye. Medicated eye drops called atropine are placed in the strong eye to cause blurry vision. This ensures the weaker eye will be used and the part of the brain that controls vision will develop fully. Another therapy used to treat amblyopia is placing an opaque patch over the stronger eye to force the weaker one to work harder. This also helps with correct brain development to improve vision.
Considerations:
It was once thought that treating children older than seven was not beneficial, but eye doctors have since changed their minds after a nationwide clinical trial showed older children do benefit from treatment. Treatment for adults is still under study.
Warning:
According to the Optometrists Network, amblyopia is the leading cause of visual loss in people under 40 years of age. This includes eye injuries and other diseases of the eye combined.
Research:
The National Eye Institute is part of ongoing research to find better treatment options, or to improve current treatment, for amblyopia. Information about ongoing research can be found on their website.
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/amblyopia/amblyopia_guide.asp
Published by Angel Sharum
Angel Sharum is a freelance writer of both fiction and non-fiction. She writes articles on a number of topics ranging from self-help to hiking and has numerous works of fiction published in print anthologies... View profile
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- Amblyopia is the leading cause of visual loss in people under 40 years of age.