Farmington, CT
Vision Therapy for Amblyopia
Farmington, CT
Vision Therapy for Amblyopia
At SIGHT Multispecialty Center in Farmington, we offer comprehensive vision therapy services to help our patients with amblyopia and other visual conditions. Vision therapy is an effective treatment for amblyopia that can help improve vision and restore normal visual function.
What is amblyopia?
Amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye,” is a vision condition that affects the way the brain processes visual information. In amblyopia, one eye has weaker visual acuity than the other eye, and the brain begins to rely more heavily on the stronger eye. Over time, the brain begins to suppress or ignore the visual signals from the weaker eye, leading to a decrease in visual acuity in that eye.
If left untreated, amblyopia can lead to permanent vision loss in the affected eye. However, early diagnosis and treatment can often result in significant improvement in vision.
What are the causes of amblyopia?
Amblyopia can be caused by several factors that affect the visual system during the critical period of development. Here are some common causes of amblyopia:
Strabismus
This is a condition in which the eyes do not align properly. One eye may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward while the other remains in a straight position. This misalignment causes the brain to receive different images from each eye, which can result in the suppression of the image from the misaligned eye and the development of amblyopia.
Refractive errors
Refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, can cause blurry vision in one or both eyes. If one eye has a significantly different prescription than the other, the brain may favor the eye with better vision, leading to amblyopia in the weaker eye.
Blockage
A blockage in the visual pathway, such as a cataract, can also cause amblyopia. If light is unable to reach the retina in one eye, the brain may ignore the signals from that eye and rely more heavily on the other eye.
Deprivation
Deprivation amblyopia can occur when there is a problem with the eye itself, such as a congenital cataract or a droopy eyelid, that prevents light from entering the eye. The brain may then suppress or ignore the signals from that eye, leading to amblyopia.
Amblyopia can develop in children as young as six months old, so regular eye exams are crucial to detect and treat any vision issues early on. If you suspect you or a loved one may have amblyopia, be sure to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor.
How is amblyopia diagnosed?
Your eye doctor can diagnose amblyopia and other conditions during a comprehensive eye exam.
During the exam, your doctor will check for the following:
Visual acuity
This measures how clearly you can see letters or objects at a distance. If one eye has significantly worse visual acuity than the other, it may be a sign of amblyopia.
Refractive errors
The doctor will check for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, which can cause amblyopia if one eye has a significantly different prescription than the other.
Eye alignment
The doctor will check for any eye misalignment, which can cause the brain to suppress or ignore signals from the misaligned eye, leading to amblyopia.
Eye health
The doctor will examine your eye health, looking for any issues that may cause or contribute to amblyopia, such as a cataract or a droopy eyelid.
In some cases, your doctor may also perform additional tests, such as a binocular vision assessment or a contrast sensitivity test, to further evaluate the severity of the amblyopia.
How can vision therapy help?
Vision therapy is a non-surgical treatment that involves a series of exercises and activities designed to improve the coordination between the eyes and the brain. It works by training the brain to use the weaker eye more effectively and to develop better visual skills.
Vision therapy for amblyopia helps improve visual acuity, depth perception, eye tracking, and visual processing. Treatment usually involves a combination of exercises and activities, such as using special lenses, patching the stronger eye, and performing eye exercises that improve eye muscle coordination.
The length of treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition and the age of the patient. In some cases, vision therapy may be combined with other treatments, such as surgery or medication.
Vision therapy for amblyopia is a safe and effective treatment option that has been proven to improve vision in many patients. It is especially effective when started at an early age, but it can also be effective in older patients.
At SIGHT Multispecialty Center in Farmington, our team of highly trained optometrists and vision therapists will work with you to create a customized vision therapy program that fits your or your child’s unique needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment so we can help you achieve and maintain optimal vision and eye health.