Ambylopia is defined as low capacity of vision in one or both eyes less than expected without any damage in the eye or optic nerve. Sight is a sense which is learned starting from the birth. During the growth of our brains our capabilities regarding sight develops simultaneously and we learn to see better. During these time period if any problem occurs that prevents our seeing capacity such as refractive errors in different degrees in both eyes; the higher degree of refractive error eye develops amblyopia.
The reasons of Ambylopia:
- Refractive erros: Higher degree of refractive error in one eye more than the other one or very high degree of refractive error in both eyes.
- Strabismus: Sliding of the one eye.
- Other eye problems: Cataract that prevents sight, blurred areas in the cornea, proptosis of the eyelid that covers the pupil.
Treatment of Ambylopia:
Early diagnosis of amblyopia is very important in the effective treatment of the situation. If there is a need for eye-glass usage starting the treatment combined with closure of the better vision eye; the sight in the effected eye gets better in time. Surgical intervention is not an option in the treatment of amblyopia.
First 8 years of life is very important in the treatment of amblyopia that can be extended to the age of 10 but treatment of closure of the not effected eye gets shorter if it is diagnosed earlier. When the age of the child gets older, the closure time of the not effected eye is increased by hours per day for a longer period of time.
- Closure technique:
The principle of the closure technique is closing of the better vision eye to improve vision in the effected eye. The closure time per day is defined according to the age of the patient and degree of the amblyopia. Specially designed eye glasses are used for children who can’t co-operate to closure of one eye.
- Orthoptic Treatment:
Orthoptic treatments are applied in the hospital environment which are a kind of physical treatment of the eyes. In this treatment option addition to the closure technique the eye is provoked to work better. CAM treatment is also included. The working period is 30 minutes.
- NeurovisionTM Treatment
NeurovisionTM treatment of amblyopia is done via a computer-based program by a Pediatric Opthtalmologist. In this treatment, patients with proper eye structure with ages in between 10 – 55, sight is taught from the beginning to the brain via computer and improvement in sight is aimed at the end. But before starting to this treatment patient convenience must be evaluated by the ophthalmologist.