Amblyopia is a condition in which one eye does not see as well as the other even though the eye is healthy. It is characterised by vision that cannot be improved with glasses. Anything that interferes with clear vision from birth until around 6 years of age can cause amblyopia.
Causes of Ambylopia
- Strabismus (turned/ crossed eyes)
- Large levels of uncorrected blurry vision in both eyes or between the eyes due to longsightedness, shortsightedness or astigmatism
- An obstruction of vision within an eye e.g. following an injury or due to a congenital cataract
Symptoms of Amblyopia
Patients with amblyopia often have trouble with depth perception and clumsiness. They cannot see 3D images. Reading can be difficult.
Treatment
The first line of treatment for patients with amblyopia is prescription of glasses or contact lenses. Treatment of amblyopia can also include vision therapy, eye patching, eye drops, prism glasses, surgery, or a combination of those options.
Eye patching may have been prescribed by a specialist or another optomertist for children with amblyopia. We understand that there are often situations where children refuse to wear an eye patch, or parents may see eye patching as a social stigma, and we offer a range of newer treatment strategies that do not require the use of an eye patch at all.