Treatment For Lazy Eye / Amblyopia In Oyster Bay, New York

Not exactly. These treatments may be used complementarily, but are inferior on their own to Vision Therapy. This is because patching and atropine do not address the underlying neuro-visual problems which result in the amblyopia in the first place.

Patching is commonly recommended to treat amblyopia, but it’s really an outdated and ineffective treatment. Atropine drops are sometimes recommended in place of patching. The idea behind both patching and atropine is that these treatments “penalize” the good eye, the weaker eye is forced to adjust and gain focus.

The problem with patching and atropine on their own is that penalization doesn’t treat the underlying neuro-visual cause of the amblyopia!

 Patching or atropine drops only address the symptoms. Visual acuity can be enhanced without Vision Therapy, but this is usually temporary. Amblyopia isn’t about one eye or the other being a problem. The research is conclusive that that approach is an over-simplification. Amblyopia is ultimately all about the overall ability of the brain to use both eyes together effectively. This is referred to as “eye-teaming” and improving the ability to team the eyes is essential to an effective and long-lasting treatment of amblyopia. The best and most effective solution for treating amblyopia is vision therapy.

No. This is a common myth that is still perpetuated by many healthcare providers. Amblyopia does not go away on its own. Untreated, it will significantly and negatively affect a child’s ability to learn, thrive, and function academically and socially. The earlier the treatment of lazy eye, the better.

As you get older, eye patching and atropine therapy tend to be even less effective than it is for, children. This is NOT the case with Vision Therapy. While the techniques may take a little longer, Vision Therapy is still a proven technique for treatment. If you would like to discuss if Vision Therapy is right for you, contact our caring staff at the The Vision Therapy Center at Gold Coast Optometric Vision Performance in Oyster Bay, New York. Our Vision Therapy experts, Dr. Reuter Hanna will be able to evaluate your amblyopia and decide on the best course of action.

Yes. The common wisdom is that lazy eye can only be treated in early childhood. While this is preferable, Vision Therapy can and is effectively used to treat lazy eye in adults as well. The brain is still plastic throughout adulthood and can adapt and change even once it’s fully developed. This means that the activities and exercises of Vision Therapy are effective for adults as long as the patient is diligent in following the treatment through. It requires a bit of discipline and taking an active role in the treatment regimen.

Ophthalmologists will not typically perform LASIK on the so-called good eye in an individual that has amblyopia. The recommended approach is to have the amblyopia treated first through Vision Therapy. An alternative option for vision correction is Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), which uses a special, rigid contact lens at night which gently reshapes the cornea. This leaves the wearer with corrected vision during the day, without the need for glasses and contact lenses. In children, Ortho-K is also proven to slow the progression of myopia, which significantly decreases your child’s long-term risk of serious eye diseases such as retinal detachment and macular degeneration.  

Probably. There is a list of entry requirements for people with amblyopia, so it depends upon where you fall within these categories. The more severe cases of amblyopia will not be accepted. We recommend scheduling a developmental eye exam to assess your eligibility for military service.

There is no direct link between computer use and amblyopia. Computer use, however, is not without its own problems. The high energy blue light from modern LED screens can cause eyestrain, soreness, blurriness, and likely long-term damage to the retina. Extended computer screen use can also exacerbate the symptoms of dry eye. At the The Vision Therapy Center at Practice Name, we recommend using blue light protective lenses and taking frequent breaks to look at objects at a distance. This applies whether or not you have amblyopia.

The cost of Vision Therapy for amblyopia depends on how long and intensive the required treatment is. This will depend on the severity of the amblyopia, age, and how responsive you are to the treatment. There is no single answer for how many treatments will be required. Vision Therapy is customized to each patient’s individuals needs and everyone responds at their own pace.

The most important thing to keep in mind is the cost of NOT getting effective treatment. It can result in a lifetime of difficulty interpreting visual symbols, problems with reading, and academic and professional failure.

Every medical plan is different. However, for the time being, most Vision Therapy is not covered by the majority of medical or vision insurance plans, including OHIP. However, you also need to consider the cost to you or your child’s life success if amblyopia is not effectively treated.

There are activities that you can perform at home like eye patching or certain eye exercises. However, long-term effective treatment will also require in-office Vision Therapy with an experienced expert. Only a developmental optometrist or vision therapist can assess the progress of your treatment and customize the treatment plan that’s right for you. Home exercises without the ongoing supervision of a vision therapist will have limited success, if any, and are not recommended.