Amblyopia, also known as a lazy eye, occurs when one eye is weaker than the other, causing the eye to wander inward and outward. This condition begins to develop at birth and can worsen until the age of seven. Fortunately, our team at Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines can treat the condition.
Who Is At Risk For a Lazy Eye?
Some factors can increase your risk of developing a lazy eye. These include:
- • Family history of lazy eye
- • Premature birth
- • Small size at birth
- • Developmental disabilities
What Causes a Lazy Eye?
- • Muscle imbalance is the most common cause of lazy eye. If there is an imbalance in the muscles that position the eye, they will not work • together, causing the eye to cross in or out.
- • A significant difference in the prescription of the left eye and the right eye can cause the weaker eye to wander.
- • An issue with one eye, such as a cataract, can prevent clear vision in one eye, causing it to wander.
What Are the Symptoms of a Lazy Eye?
As mentioned above, a lazy eye is characterized by an eye that wanders inward or outward. The other symptoms of lazy eye include:
- • Eyes that are not working together
- • Poor depth perception
- • Needing to squint or close one eye to see clearly
- • Needing to tilt the head to see clearly
- • Abnormal vision screening results
How Is Lazy Eye Treated?
There are several treatment options for lazy eye. The one the optometrist chooses will depend on the severity of your child's condition. These options include:
- • Glasses: If your child's lazy eye is not too severe, eyeglasses can correct the refractive error causing the lazy eye.
- • Eye patches: The optometrist may suggest your child wears an eye patch over the good eye. This will force the lazy eye to work harder, increasing the muscle strength, correcting the lazy eye.
- • Bangerter filter: This is a special filter placed on the lens of the stronger eye. It blurs the stronger eye, causing the lazy eye to work harder, helping to straighten it out.
- • Atropine: Atropine eye drops placed in the good eye will cause its vision to blur. This will force the lazy eye to work harder.
- • Surgery: If your child's lazy eye is due to a cataract or a droopy eyelid, surgically correcting the issue will treat the lazy eye.
Get Treatment for Lazy Eye and Eye Care in West Des Moines, IA
If your child is experiencing the symptoms of lazy eye, schedule an appointment at Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines. One of our eye doctors will examine your child's eye to determine the best course of treatment. Call us today at (515) 267-1312 to get started.
