Amblyopia

Amblyopia is reduced vision in an eye that has not received adequate use during early childhood. Amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” has many causes. Most often it results from either a misalignment of a child’s eyes, such as crossed eyes, or a difference in image quality between the two eyes (one eye focusing better than the other). Amblyopia is the most common cause of visual impairment in childhood. The condition affects approximately 2 to 3 out of every 100 children.
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What causes an Amblyopia?

Amblyopia mainly occurs during childhood when the nerve pathway from one eye to the brain does not develop.Generally, when the eyes are not working together send a wrong or blurred image to the brain. As a result, brain confuses and may start to ignore the image from the weaker eye resulting in amblyopia.

Strabismus is one of the most common causes of amblyopia. However, amblyopia can occur with or without strabismus and vice versa.

Other causes include Farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism or childhood cataracts, especially if it is more in one eye.
SYMPTOMS:

Amblyopia mainly develops in the child of age group below 6. The signs mention below may not necessarily indicatethat the child has amblyopia. In most of the cases, good eye and the brain make up for the problem so well that the child does not notice he/she has Amblyopia. Due to this reason, it is advised that children should get full eye check-up at 6 months, and again at 3 years.

The symptoms of Amblyopia include:

Eyes do not appear to work together
Dual vision
Significant favoring of one eye
Blurred vision
Poor depth perception
Poor vision in one eye
A squint (either upwards, downwards, outwards, or inwards).

Tratments:
The goal of amblyopia treatment is to improve the visual acuity of the poorer eye, so that it equated to the acuity values of the preferred eye, or to get the patient within one or two lines of the target acuity.With early diagnosis and treatment, the sight in the “lazy eye” can be restored. A recent NEI report suggests that older children can also benefit from amblyopia treatment.

Before treating amblyopia, it may be necessary to first treat the underlying cause.

Glasses are usually prescribe to improve focusing or misalignment of the eyes.Surgery may be performed on the eye muscles to straighten the eyes and for allowing them to work together better. Eye exercises may be recommended either before or after surgery to correct faulty visual habits associated with strabismus and also to teach comfortable use of the eyes.
Patching or covering one eye may be required for a period of time ranging from a few weeks to as long as a year. The better-seeing eye is patched, forcing the “lazy” one to work, thereby strengthening its vision. Any prescription glasses would need to be worn over the patch.

Help your child understand why the patch is needed. Rewards, support, and reassure your child. This will help your child comply with the patching treatment so that he or she can develop the best vision possible.

Here are some of the things you can do to help your child wear the patch and make the treatment more effective.

Talk to your child before treatment begins. Explain that the patch is needed to help make vision in the affected eye stronger.
Explain to family and friends why your child is wearing patch and how important it is that the patch stays on. Ask them to be supportive.
If your child is in day care school, talk with the caregivers and teachers. Often they will be glad to explain to your child’s classmates why he or she is wearing the patch and how they can help your child’s treatment be successful. This can help your child feel more comfortable in school.
Some parents have had success with a reward calendar, marking each time the child wears the patch as prescribed. Consider providing rewards when your child wears the patch without complaints and difficulties.
Schedule the times when your child wear the patch. It may be possible to wear the patch only at home. Then your child can avoid any teasing comments that may hurt because of the patch.
Try to minimize skin irritation when using hypo-allergic adhesive patches. This kind of patch occludes sight better than those with elastic bands or patches glasses. If your child is wearing adhesive-type patches, let him or her decorate them.
Spend time with your child just after the patch is put on. It takes a short time-about 10 or 15 minutes – for the brain to adjust to having the dominant eye covered. Doing something funny during this time can make the transition smoother.
Give your child as much attention while he or she is wearing the patch. Your child will enjoy the time spend you spend together, and this will help take his or her mind off the patch. Find the game & activities that capture your child’s attention and make the affected eye work harder.
Patching treatment for amblyopia will be more effective if your child’s weak eye has to work harder while the normal eye is patched. Games and activities that require visual acuity and eye-hand coordination work well.
Ensure your child wears the prescription glasses over the patch.
Include one hour of near work while the child is being patched.
Article by
sankara Eye care