Amblyopia & Strabismus

Vision is more than 20/20 eyesight. Babies are born with poor eyesight that normally improves as they grow. In Amblyopia or “lazy eye”, one eye becomes stronger and the other eye continues to see poorly. Amblyopia often goes undetected because a child can see 20/20 with their stronger eye. Amblyopia is not immediately improved with eyeglasses but is treatable with vision therapy.

Strabismus or “an eye turn” is seen when you cannot use both eyes together as a team. It often leads to amblyopia as the turned eye fails to develop sharp sight. Strabismus or the eye turn can be constant or intermittent such as when a child is tired. A child with an eye turn may close or cover one eye while reading. They may also squint one eye closed in bright sunlight.

Because a child is often unaware of the “lazy eye” and it can begin in infancy, the American Optometric Association recommends a comprehensive vision examination by the age of six months, at age three and again before starting school.

Treatment for Amblyopia or Strabismus should being as early as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment increases the chance for a complete recovery. While current research shows that treatment can be effective at any age, older children and adults will require longer treatment and the treatment may be somewhat less successful.

Dr. Cathy Stern can help maximize your child’s sight and the benefits of seeing with both eyes together by diagnosing amblyopia or strabismus and offering vision therapy treatment.

Common Symptoms of Amblyopia or Strabismus

Unaware of the problem An eyes that appear to cross inward or out toward one ear Double vision Loss of depth perception	Closes or covers one eye especially while reading Attention deficit or poor concentration Inconsistent sports performance

Treatment Alternatives

Performance Lenses to improve focus flexibility and eye coordination Optometric Vision Therapy to eyesight and eye coordination Prescription eyewear to improve eyesight Prism lens therapy to assist eye coordination and improve spatial awareness Surgery in some cases. Be aware that surgery cosmetically aligns the eyes but does not treat the amblyopia or help your child develop complete depth perception and eye coordination.

Dr. Cathy Stern can help maximize your child’s sight and the benefits of seeing with both eyes together by diagnosing amblyopia or strabismus and offering vision therapy treatment.

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