Vision Therapy & Amblyopia Treatment

Vision Therapy & Amblyopia Treatment

Amblyopia or “lazy eye” is a neuro-developmental vision condition that begins in early childhood. It can also develop in people as a result of a traumatic brain injury or neurological condition. Those with amblyopia tend to have reduced eyesight in one eye, even when wearing corrective glasses or contacts. If left untreated, this condition can adversely impact a child’s success in work, school, sports and social interactions, which in turn may affect their self-esteem and confidence.

Vision therapy helps improve the child’s visual abilities through a series of personalized exercises to enhance eye coordination, depth perception and reduce suppression. Suppression occurs where the brain inhibits (stops using) the weaker eye altogether, leading to permanent vision loss.

Symptoms of Amblyopia

• Squinting or shutting an eye
• Difficulties with 3D depth perception
• Poor eye-hand coordination
• Tripping and/or balance problems
• Trouble with smooth eye movements
• Slower reading speed and comprehension

How Does Vision Therapy Treat Amblyopia?

Vision therapy improves the patient’s visual acuity, binocular vision, visual processing abilities, reading fluency and depth perception.

Amblyopia Treatment for Adults

Vision therapy effectively treats amblyopia in both adults and children. Because vision therapy relies on the neuroplasticity of the brain, and adults generally have less neuroplasticity than children, this treatment method may take longer in the older demographic.

At Deshpande Eye Care Center, Optometrist Shubham Deshpande and our vision therapists treat amblyopia with proven office-based vision therapy for optimal results.