What is Amblyopia?
Amblyopia, is a developmental vision condition that can begin in early childhood. It is the most common cause of decreased vision for a child. Amblyopia occurs when one eye does not receive the same messages to the brain as the other eye. An appropriate spectacle prescription, methods of patching an eye and vision therapy can be used to treat amblyopia.
What Are The Symptoms?
When the eyes have varying visual abilities or struggle to coordinate effectively, the brain tends to rely more on the eye that provides more dependable visual input. If untreated, establishing a strong connection in the eye with reduced vision becomes increasingly challenging. Amblyopia, often caused by conditions such as strabismus or significant differences in optical power between the eyes, may develop without noticeable signs in children. Therefore, a comprehensive eye examination is crucial for early detection and prevention of amblyopia. Any child displaying asymmetrical eye movements should undergo immediate assessment to prevent amblyopia. Additionally, observing reluctance in a child to engage in activities like climbing or jumping, or noticing challenges in developing age-appropriate coordination, warrants a full vision assessment to rule out amblyopia as a potential underlying cause.
How Does Vision Therapy Treat Amblyopia?
Vision therapy is an evidence-based program that can enhance visual acuity, binocular vision, visual processing abilities, and depth perception in individuals with amblyopia. The program involves personalised exercises that are monitored closely, both in-office and through prescribed daily home sessions. The duration of the therapy varies depending on the severity of the amblyopia and the patient's adherence to the exercises, typically spanning from several weeks to several months. These exercises aim to retrain how the brain interacts with the eyes and processes visual information. Modern advancements in digital therapies, such as virtual reality, introduce interactive exercises focused on enhancing accommodation, fixation, eye-tracking, and spatial abilities.
Discover how The Focal Point can help you with your vision through our vision therapy programs. Our personalised approach is guided by experienced optometrists and vision therapists. Each session is conducted one-on-one, ensuring dedicated attention and effective progress.