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Amblyopia services offered in Plano, TX
Amblyopia is a common condition affecting up to 3% of the United States population. If your child develops amblyopia — commonly known as lazy eye — visit Lori Dao, MD, at Pediatric Ophthalmology Partners of Texas in Plano, Texas. Dr. Dao approaches every patient individually to find the best treatment for them. It’s also vital that your child attends routine eye exams to identify any problems early on before they affect development or education. Call Pediatric Ophthalmology Partners of Texas to schedule an amblyopia evaluation or book an appointment online today.
What is amblyopia?
Amblyopia causes poor vision in eyes that don’t develop properly during early childhood. The weaker (lazy) eye tends to drift inward or outward.
Amblyopia usually only affects one eye, but in some children, it affects both. It typically develops before age 7 and is the primary cause of reduced vision in children.
How do I know if my child has amblyopia?
Your child may have amblyopia if they exhibit the following signs:
- One eye wandering inward or outward
- Eyes not working in unison
- Lack of depth perception
- Often squinting or shutting one eye
- Tilting the head
- Abnormal sight tests
Some children with amblyopia don’t show any of these symptoms and can only be discovered with an eye exam.
Why would my child have amblyopia?
Amblyopia develops when an abnormal visual experience alters the nerve pathways between a child’s retina at the back of the eye and the brain. The affected eye doesn’t get as many visual signals as the other eye, and over time, they struggle to work together. Eventually, the brain disregards input from the weaker eye.
Anything blurring a child’s sight, making the eyes cross, or causing the eye to turn out can result in amblyopia. Common causes include:
Strabismus amblyopia
Strabismus is caused by a problem with the muscles positioning the eyes, which causes them to cross and prevents them from working in harmony.
Refractive amblyopia
Refractive problems affect vision sharpness. A substantial refractive difference between the eyes due to farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism (an uneven eye surface curve) can cause amblyopia.
Some children with amblyopia have both strabismus and refractive problems. Your child’s risk of developing amblyopia is higher if close family members have problems like strabismus.
What treatments help with amblyopia?
Amblyopia treatment varies depending on its cause and how much it affects your child’s vision. Options Dr. Dao might recommend include:
- Glasses or contact lenses for refractive errors
- An eye patch over the normal eye
- Atropine eye drops
Patches, filters, and drops all stimulate the affected eye by covering or blurring vision in the normal eye.
In severe cases, Dr. Dao might suggest surgery. However, most children find their amblyopia improves within weeks or months after starting noninvasive treatment.
Call Pediatric Ophthalmology Partners of Texas to arrange a consultation or book an appointment online today if you think your child has amblyopia.