Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is a term used to describe a condition where sight has not properly developed normally in one eye, causing the other eye to take over and provide visual images to the brain. Amblyopia can affect both eyes, but typically it presents in just one. To know more visit http://davisvisiontherapy.com

1. “Lazy” Eyes Not Lazy: Vision Therapy Provides the Fix
Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is a term used to describe a condition where sight has not
properly developed normally in one eye, causing the other eye to take over and provide
visual images to the brain. Amblyopia can affect both eyes, but typically it presents in
just one.
If a patient is viewing the world through two eyes that see differently, the brain gets
confused. The eyes are designed to work as a team, using similar images from both eyes
to create a single, stereoscopic, binocular visual image. When the images of both eyes do
not match up, the brain strains to make sense of those duplicate images, resulting in
blurred or double vision. The brain resolves the problem by ignoring the visual image
from the weaker eye, using the single image from the stronger eye to “see.”
Often, glasses are prescribed, but sometimes this makes the problem worse. Patching is
sometimes employed, covering the stronger eye to make the weaker eye work to supply
the image to the brain. Neither glasses nor patching provides a satisfactory solution. The
problem likely does not reside in the eye itself, but in the brain and its communication
with the visual system.
The good news is that there is help available for vision disorders like amblyopia. A
program of vision therapy, addressing the alignment of the amblyopic eye, retraining it to
“see” properly, can reverse the suppression and restore binocular vision. Experienced
developmental optometrists like Dr. Tod Davis can address amblyopia with repetitive,
targeted strategies in proven programs of vision therapy that will have long-lasting
beneficial effects for the patient.
Left unaddressed, the weaker eye may begin to physically turn outward, inward, upward,
or downward, adjusting its focus in order to eliminate the stress of double vision. This
results in a condition known as strabismus, or eye turn.
Both strabismus and amblyopia can be treated through vision therapy, engaging the
patient in practiced, therapeutic, repetitive exercises designed to restore binocular vision.
Treatment was once thought to be effective only during a small window of time in
childhood, but more recent studies have proven that older children and even adults have
improved through an intensive program of vision therapy.
Children may not recognize that they have a vision problem since they have no vision
comparisons that show them what good vision looks like. Many eye exams may also miss
the diagnosis. If you suspect vision problems in your child, making an appointment with
a skilled developmental optometrist like Dr. Tod Davis can provide an accurate
assessment through a comprehensive exam.

2. Having a comprehensive exam early, to address amblyopia or other vision problems
before they become a stumbling block for reading and learning in academic settings, can
ensure your child will not fall behind his or her peers. Let the caring, knowledgeable staff
at Dr. Tod Davis Developmental Optometrists and Vision Therapy Services provide you
with testing and vision therapy programs to give your child every advantage he or she
deserves. Visit DavisVisionTherapy.com today to get started.