Vision Therapy: Amblyopia and Strabismus

What is amblyopia?
Amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye,” is a binocular (eye-teaming) disorder resulting in the vision of one eye being poorer than the vision in the fellow eye.  The vision in the “lazy eye” is not correctable with glasses or contact lenses.  It is estimated that nearly 4 million Americans are affected by the condition.

What is strabismus?
Strabismus, or “eye-turn”, is also an eye-teaming disorder.  However, with strabismus, the eye teaming disorder causes the eyes to be misaligned, pointing in different directions.  Commonly called “cross-eyed,” one eye may look straight ahead, while the other can turn inward, outward, upward or downward. The turning may come and go, or can be constant.

Often, patients with strabismus also have amblyopia.  This is because when the eye crosses or turns, the brain experiences double vision.  In order to avoid this, the brain will often suppress or “turn-off” an eye.  The unused eye eventually develops “lazy eye”, or amblyopia.   

What are the side effects of amblyopia and strabismus?
Children and adults with amblyopia or strabismus will have trouble judging space and depth perception.  They also struggle with making eye contact and exhibit difficulties with attention, which can lead to problems with reading and learning in school and inefficiency at work. Spatial issues can also lead to clumsiness and may make driving difficult.

Can amblyopia and strabismus be treated?
Yes!  Amblyopia and strabismus are both best treated when the underlining problem, poor binocularity or “eye teaming” is addressed.  This is due to the fact that strabismus and amblyopia are not issues with the muscles of the eye, but rather a function of how the brain “communicates” with the eyes.  The most effective way to develop this skill is through professional vision therapy.  

It was once thought that unless strabismus was detected and treated before the age of six, the condition would be permanent. However, thanks to recent research in neuroplasticity, most optometrists no longer believe this to be true. For many years, they have found that even adults can improve and correct their vision and visual skills through vision therapy.

How does vision therapy correct strabismus and amblyopia?
Vision Development Specialists utilizes a variety of vision therapy tools and equipment to help correct the conditions of strabismus and amblyopia by training the brain and eyes to adequately function together. Each patient is diagnosed by optometrists Phil and Shannon Mattson and receives an age-appropriate therapy plan geared specifically to their individual needs on a weekly basis. In-office vision therapy sessions are augmented by daily take-home exercises for patients in between office visits. The duration of therapy will depend on the severity of the strabismus or amblyopia.