Amblyopia and Strabismus in Children, Beware!!!!!

What is Amblyopia?

Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is an eye problem that causes poor vision in children. When pathways from the eye to the brain do not develop properly, it causes amblyopia. Some causes include vision in the eye being blocked by a droopy lid or a cataract, a crossed or wandering eye (strabismus) that gives the brain a different signal or double vision, or simply an unequal focus between the eyes. The brain “shuts off” the eye with blocked or double vision, or the one it has to work harder to focus in the case of unequal focus. If caught early—experts say by the age of 8-10—its effects can be partially to fully reversed.

The treatment of Amblyopia is to force the weak eye to work, usually by suppressing the strong eye with blurring drops or glasses, or by blocking the strong eye’s vision altogether with a patch. These methods force the weak eye to work and retrain the brain to recognize the signals from that eye, rebuilding the pathways. This needs to be done before vision pathways cement in the brain. The younger amblyopia is discovered, the better the chance for restoring vision. Often amblyopia is not diagnosed until a child has their first school eye exam. Unlike other eye conditions or poor vision, there is often nothing physical (such as crossed eyes) to make parents wonder about their child’s vision. And since one eye is strong, even the child may not complain about not being able to see. Early eye exams are important!

What is Strabismus?

Strabismus is crossing or wandering eye(s). It is easier to detect than amblyopia, as parents can often see the crossing. At birth, newborns have poor vision and may cross their eyes. If eyes cross or wander after about 3 months, even occasionally, talk to your optometrist. If strabismus is not caught early and treated, it can cause amblyopia. When the eyes cross, the brain shuts off the eye and poor vision develops. Drops, glasses and patching are also used to treat strabismus. Surgery may be required to align the eyes, usually done after good vision is restored if amblyopia is also present.

So, To avoid further deterioration of your child's vision, its mandatory that you take your child for eye check up from 6 months of age even if the child's eyes seems normal from outside. Earlier the detection and better will be the prognosis.

For more information regarding vision evaluation in children please visit.......http://www.childrensvision.com