Information about Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) from New Vision Optical Wilmette

There are a number of conditions that an eye doctor might see on a regular basis. One of these is called a lazy eye. While the name might make it sound relatively minor, this is actually a serious eye condition that can be addressed by New Vision Optical Wilmette.

What is a Lazy Eye?

For those who might not know, a lazy eye (also known as amblyopia), is a medical condition where the eyesight in one eye does not develop as it should. This means that the brain is not fully evaluating or interpreting the light that is entering one of the eyes, impacting how it sees part of its own visual field. If a patient has this condition, the brain focuses on the light that comes into only one of the eyes, nearly ignoring the other eye. This can be a serious problem because if the brain continues to ignore one of the eyes, the body will stop using it altogether. In essence, this means that the child will go blind in one of the eyes. Clearly, this is a serious problem that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible.

What is the Lazy Eye Treatment Process?

Fortunately, there are treatment options available. The sooner this condition is treated, the better the outcome is going to be. The treatment of a lazy eye is going to involve a combination of multiple therapies. Eye exercises will be used to strengthen the lazy eye. Patching might be used, placed over the “good” eye to force the brain to use the other eye. Specialized glasses can also be used to force the brain to use the weaker eye. Atropine drops can also be used to force the brain to focus on the lazy eye. All of these therapies are on the table when it comes to treating a lazy eye. This is done to ensure that vision is preserved in both eyes.

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