Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Amblyopia, also known as "lazy eye", usually develops in the early years of life and affects 2-3% of children. Amblyopia is often inherited in families. This condition can cause vision loss if left untreated, but is completely treatable if detected and treated early. Some cases of amblyopia are evident, but others can be difficult to detect in children, sometimes the child himself does not know about his condition. This disease should be diagnosed and treated by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. There are several methods to help you determine if your child has amblyopia, but you should always consult an ophthalmologist (preferably a doctor trained in pediatric ophthalmology).

Steps

Part 1 of 6: Check for amblyopia

1. 

   
   
   Understand the causes of amblyopia. Amblyopia is poor vision due to a problem with the vision path from the eye to the brain. This disease can occur when one eye focuses significantly better than the other. Amblyopia can be difficult to detect because sometimes it doesn't show any difference in vision or is not deformed. The only way to correctly diagnose amblyopia is to see an ophthalmologist.
   • Squinting is a very common cause of amblyopia. Strabismus is a condition when two eyes are not looking in the same direction, with one eye looking inwards (squinting in), out (squinting out), up (squinting above) or down (squinting below). Gradually, the "looking straight" eye will dominate the visual signals transmitted to the brain, causing amblyopia caused by squinting. However, not all amblyopia is related to squint.
   • Amblyopia can also arise due to problematic eye structure, such as drooping eyelids.
   • Other eye problems, such as cataracts (a "cloudy" spot in the eye) or glaucoma, can also cause amblyopia. This form of amblyopia is called "amblyopia and deficient vision" and often requires surgical treatment.
   • The difference in the refractive index between the eyes also causes amblyopia. For example, in some people with one eye nearsightedness and one eye farsighted (irregular binaural refraction), the brain chooses one eye to use and ignores the other. This form of amblyopia is called "amblyopia due to refractive error."
   • Sometimes amblyopia occurs in both eyes. For example, a child may have congenital cataracts in both eyes. An ophthalmologist can diagnose and recommend treatment for this form of amblyopia.

2. 

   
   
   Watch for common symptoms. Your child may not complain about his or her vision. Over time, people with amblyopia may become accustomed to seeing one eye better than the other.Visiting an ophthalmologist is the only way to determine for sure if your child has amblyopia, but there are some symptoms that you can observe.
   • The child becomes upset or irritable if one eye is covered. Some children may be irritable or irritable if you cover one of their eyes. This may be a sign that the eyes are sending an irregular signal to the brain.
   • Poor ability to feel depth. Children may have difficulty sensing depth and also have difficulty watching 3D movies. In addition, it is also difficult for children to see distant objects, such as the words written on the board at school.
   • Squint eye. If a child's eyes look in different directions, it could be that he has a squint, a common cause of amblyopia.
   • Or squint, rub her eyes and tilt her head. These signs indicate blurred vision, which is also a side effect of amblyopia.
   • Having trouble at school. Sometimes children can have difficulty in school due to amblyopia. Talk to your child's teacher to see if your child laments when asked to read from a distance (eg “I feel dizzy”, “My eyes are itchy”).
   • You should have your child under 6 months of age get an eye exam for deviation or vision problems. A child's vision is still developing at this age, so home tests may not be effective ..

3. 

   
   
   Use the motion test. Test your child's response to movement to see if one eye reacts more slowly than the other eye. Find a pen with a bright colored cap or a brightly colored object and ask your child to focus on a part of the object (such as the pen cap, or the tip of the lollipop).
   • Ask your child to focus their eyes on the same part as they follow an object.
   • Slowly move the object to the right, then left. Keep moving up and down. Observe the child's eyes carefully when moving with an object.
   • Cover one of the child's eyes and move the object again: left, right, up, down. Cover the other eye and repeat the test.
   • Note the reaction of each eye. This step will help you determine if the movement of one eye is slower than the other.

4. 

   Check through photos. If you notice that the child's eyes are not aligned, you can check with the photos. With snapshots, you will have more time to look closely at for signs of problems. This is especially helpful for babies and young children, as babies this age often can't hold still long enough for you to have your eyes checked.
   • You can use existing images if the details in the image are clear. If there are no photos that match, ask someone to help you take new photos.
   • Use the reflected light of the pen flashlight to eliminate amblyopia. You can ask the assistant to hold the pen flashlight about 90 cm from the child's eye.
   • Have your child look into the light.
   • Take pictures when light hits the child's eyes.
   • Observe the symmetrical reflection of the light in the iris or the iris area of ​​the eye.
     • If the light is reflected at the same point in each eye, it is likely that the child's eye is looking straight.
     • If the reflected light is not symmetrical, it is possible that one of the child's eyes is stuck inside or out.
     • If you are unsure, take photos at different times to check.

5. 

   Check by covering your eyes. This test is applicable to children 6 months of age and older. The blindfold test can help determine whether the eyes are looking in the same direction and working equally.
   • Have the child sit across from you or on the helper's lap. Use your hand or a wooden spoon to gently cover one eye.
   • Have your child look at a toy with unobstructed eyes for a few seconds.
   • Open the blind eye and observe the eye's reaction. Check to see if the eyes are re-aligned because they had lost their way in the past. These are signs of eye problems that should be checked by your pediatric ophthalmologist.
   • Repeat the test with the other eye.
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Part 2 of 6: Taking your child to a pediatric ophthalmologist

1. 

   Find a pediatric ophthalmologist. Pediatric ophthalmologists are doctors who specialize in treating children's eye diseases. While any eye doctor can treat children, pediatric ophthalmologists are highly trained to treat many children's eye disorders.
   • Go online to find a pediatric ophthalmologist in your area. If you are in the US, the American Ophthalmology Association has a search feature that will help you find ophthalmologists near you. American Association of Pediatrics. Ophthalmology and Strabismus also provide a doctor search tool.
   • If you live in a rural or small town, you may need to find a doctor in a nearby city.
   • Ask friends and family to refer a doctor. If someone you know has a child who also has vision problems, ask them to refer an ophthalmologist. That way, you can guess if that doctor is right for you.
   • If you have health insurance, check to see if it pays. If you are unsure, you can contact to find out if they will pay the doctor you are planning to see.

2. 

   Familiarize yourself with the eye test and testing tools. Your doctor will evaluate vision and eye condition to determine if your child has amblyopia. When you know about these tools, you will be more comfortable seeing the doctor and help your child feel better.
   • Light for pupil. Your doctor may use a hand-held instrument called a colposcope to check your eyes. This device will shine light in the eye. As the light rays are in motion, the doctor can identify refractive errors of the eye (eg nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism) by observing the retina's "red reflection". This method can also be very useful in diagnosing tumors or cataracts in a newborn. Your doctor may use dilated eye drops to check your child's eyes with this method.
   • Prism. An ophthalmologist may use prisms to check the light's reflection of the eye. If the reflected rays are symmetrical, the eye is looking straight; if not symmetrical, the child may experience squint (a cause of amblyopia). The doctor will hold the prism against one eye and adjust the prism to observe the reflection. This technique is not as accurate as some other tests in determining squint, but may be necessary when examining a very young child.
   • Vision assessment test. This test method covers many types of tests. The most basic form uses the familiar "Snellen chart" in which the child will read the smallest readable letters on the standard alphabet chart. Other types of tests may include light reflection, pupil reflection, eye target tracking, color perception, and distance perception.
   • Photoscreening. Photoscreening is used to check children's vision. This method uses the camera to detect vision problems such as squint and refraction by checking the light reflection from the eye. Photoscreening is especially useful for very young children (under 3 years old), children with difficulty sitting still, children not cooperating, or children with disabilities such as non-verbal language learning disorders or autism. This test usually takes less than 1 minute.
   • Refraction test. This test determines the structure of the eye and how to receive images from the lens. Your doctor will use dilated eye drops for this test.

3. 

   Tell your child what might happen during the eye exam. Young children may be afraid of a new situation such as seeing a doctor. You can reassure and soothe your baby by talking to him or her about the exam. This can also help the child behave correctly during the eye exam. Make sure your child is not hungry, thirsty, or sleepy when they go to the doctor, otherwise they may become irritable and make the test difficult.
   • Your doctor will usually use eye drops to dilate the pupils. This will help determine the extent of the refractive error during the examination.
   • Your doctor may use a flashlight, pen light, or other lighting device to observe the light reflection in your eyes.
   • Your doctor can use objects and photographs to check for movement and deviation.
   • Your doctor may use a fundoscope or similar device to check for eye disease or abnormalities.

4. 

   Make sure your child feels comfortable with the doctor. If your child really has a vision problem, he or she will have to stay in the doctor's office for quite a while (at least that is how the child feels).Children wearing glasses will need to have their eyes checked at least once a year. Therefore, the child must feel comfortable seeing the doctor.
   • The doctor must always take care of the child. If the first doctor you choose is not willing to answer questions and communicate with you, choose another doctor.
   • You should not feel rushed or upset by the doctor. If you have to wait too long, feel in a rush during the exam, or find your doctor bothers you, don't be afraid to switch to another doctor. You can find a doctor that better suits your needs.

5. 

   Heart understands about the different treatments. After the child's vision is checked, the doctor can recommend treatments for the child. If the child is identified as having amblyopia, therapies may include wearing glasses, using an eye patch or medicine.
   • Your doctor may recommend eye muscle surgery to pull the eye muscles in place. This procedure will be performed under general anesthesia. Surgery will make a small incision in the eye, and the eye muscles will be lengthened or shortened, depending on the amblyopia that needs to be overcome. Your child may still need to use an eye patch.
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Part 3 of 6: Treatment of amblyopia

1. 

   Wearing eye patch looks good. Once the cause of the amblyopia has been identified, an eyepatch is often recommended as part of therapy to force the brain to see with the weaker eye. For example, even if the surgery has overcome vision problems such as amblyopia caused by refraction, the child may still need to use an eyepatch for a short time to force the brain to begin recognizing the visual signals. that was previously ignored.
   • Sample eye patch by ophthalmologist. To be effective, the eye needs to be completely covered. Your doctor will help make sure this.
   • You can choose from an elastic eye patch or patch.
   • On Amblyopia Kids Network there are eye patch reviews and information about where to sell.

2. 

   Have your child wear an eye patch for 2-6 hours a day. In the past, parents were often advised to have their child wear an eyepatch all day, but recent studies have shown that children can improve their eyesight with just 2 hours of wearing an eyepatch a day.
   • Children may need to practice wearing an eyepatch for the allotted time. Start with 20-30 minutes, 3 times a day. Gradually increase the time until your child reaches the recommended amount of time each day.
   • Older children and children with severe amblyopia may need to wear an eye patch every day for longer. The doctor can advise when and for how long to wear the eye patch.

3. 

   Check out the improvement. The eyepatch method usually starts to work after a few weeks, but it can take a few months to see results. You should check for improvement by retesting your child's eyes every month (or as recommended by your eye care professional).
   • Continue checking every month, as the condition gets better with treatments lasting 6 months, 9 months, or 12 months. Response time will depend on each child (and how long he or she wears the eye patch).
   • Continue to have your child wear an eye patch during follow-up.

4. 

   Participate in activities that require eye and hand coordination. The treatment is more effective when the child's weak eye is forced to work harder while the healthy eye is hidden.
   • Encourage children to participate in art games such as coloring, drawing, connecting points to pictures, and collage.
   • Look at pictures in children's books and / or read books with them.
   • Ask your child to focus on the details in the illustrations or look at the words in the story.
   • Note that a child's ability to sense depth will decrease due to blindness, so throwing objects in the hole can be challenging.
   • For older children, video games are often developed to coordinate eye activity. For example, software developer Ubisoft has partnered with McGill University and Amblyotech to produce games like "Dig Rush" that can help treat amblyopia. Ask your doctor if this might be an option for your child.

5. 

   Stay in contact with your ophthalmologist. Treatment is sometimes not as effective as it should be. The ophthalmologist is the person who determines this most accurately. Children are often able to adapt to situations. Staying in touch with your ophthalmologist will help you know if there are new options that are right for your child. advertisement

Part 4 of 6: Consider other treatments

1. 

   Ask your doctor about atropine. You may choose to take atropine if your child is unable or unwilling to wear an eye patch. Atropine eye drops will blur vision and can be used in the "good" eye to force the child to see with the "poor" eye. This medicine is not as painful as other eye drops.
   • Some studies have shown that eye drops are as effective as or better than the eye patch method in treating amblyopia. Part of this effect may be due to the fact that the use of the eye drops does not cause the child to feel as inferior as wearing an eyepatch, so they are more likely to cooperate.
   • These eye drops may not require a long-term use, such as an eye patch.
   • Atropine eye drops also cause side effects, so they should not be used without consulting the eye doctor who is treating the child.

2. 

   Consider using the Eyetronix Flicker Glass. If your child has refractive amblyopia, flashing glasses can be an effective alternative treatment. Flicker Glass is shaped similar to sunglasses, working by continuously alternating between “clear” and “opaque” (shading) glasses according to a frequency specified by your doctor. This can be a good option for older children or children who are not responding to other treatments.
   • This method is most effective for children with mild to moderate refractive anisotropic amblyopia (ie amblyopia caused by uneven vision in the eyes.)
   • Eyetronix Flicker Glass treatments are usually completed in 12 weeks. This may not work if your child has tried eye patch treatment before.
   • As with other alternative therapies, you should always consult an ophthalmologist before trying any of these methods.

3. 

   Consider the method of RevitalVision for the treatment of amblyopia. RevitalVision uses a computer that stimulates certain changes in the brain to improve vision. Computer therapy sessions (40 sessions with 40-minute sessions) can be done at home.
   • RevitalVision can be especially helpful for adults with amblyopia.
   • You need to consult an ophthalmologist to purchase RevitalVision.
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Part 5 of 6: Eye care

1. 

   Follow the eye area. The skin around the eyes may become irritated or infected while using the eye patch. If you notice redness or cracks around your eyes, ask your doctor for treatment.

2. 

   Reducing irritation. Both elastic eye masks or patches can irritate the skin around the eyes and cause mild redness. If possible, choose a hypoallergenic patch to reduce the risk of skin irritation.
   • Nexcare manufacturer has a line of hypoallergenic eye patches. The Ortopad brand produces hypoallergenic eye masks that are glued and attached to glasses. You can also ask your doctor to recommend eye masking stores.

3. 

   Adjust the size of the eye patch. If the skin under the eye patch is irritated, try using a gauze wider than the patch to cover the skin around the eyes. Use medical tape to apply the gauze to the skin, then apply the eye patch to the gauze.
   • You could also try cutting out the eye patch so that it touches the skin less. However, you still need to make sure the normal eye is still covered and that the tape is kept in place.

4. 

   Try using an eyepatch that is glued to your eyeglasses. Since it does not come in contact with the skin, this eye patch will help prevent skin irritation. This could be an option if your child has very sensitive skin.
   • The eyepatches that are glued to the glasses have good coverage, but you'll need to stick the side of the glass too so that the child won't try to look around the patch.

5. 

   Skin Care. Rinse the skin around the eyes with water to remove any irritants that may remain when the eye patch is removed.Apply an emollient or moisturizer to the affected area to keep it moisturized. These products help the skin to repair itself and fight inflammation.
   • Lotions or ointments can help reduce inflammation, but it's important to follow the instructions and not overdo these products. In some cases, the best treatment is to do nothing and just let the skin "breathe".
   • Talk to your doctor about how to treat skin irritation in your child.
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Part 6 of 6: Supporting children with amblyopia

1. 

   Explain to your child what is going on. For the method to be successful, the child must wear the eye patch for the specified length of time. Things will be easier if the child understands why the eye patch needs to be used and agrees to use it.
   • Explain how the eye patch works and what will happen if they are not wearing it. Let your child know that an eye patch will help them see better. Don't frighten your child, but you need to let your child understand that he or she will see worse without an eyepatch.
   • If possible, engage your child in setting up a daily “blind time”.

2. 

   Mobilize your family and friends for support. Communication is key to helping your child feel comfortable with the eye patch. Children who feel guilty or ashamed to wear an eyepatch often have more difficulty completing the treatment.
   • Call on people to empathize and encourage children to persevere with the treatment process.
   • Let your child know that there are many people who are willing to help when it is difficult. Answer all questions of the child if any. Explain to your family members and friends why your child has to wear an eyepatch so they can encourage him or her.

3. 

   Talk to the teacher or caregiver. If your child must wear an eye patch while attending school, tell the teacher or caregiver about his condition.
   • Discuss asking the teacher to explain to the class why your child should wear an eyepatch and how to help. Make sure the school does not tolerate any teasing when the child must wear an eye patch.
   • Ask if the school can assist with eye patching. For example, ask if the teacher can assign difficult assignments a little earlier, tutor the child, plan work, and / or check on the student's progress weekly. All of these can help your child feel more comfortable during treatment and still do well in school.

4. 

   Young encouragement. No matter how hard you try, other kids can make fun of your child or say words that hurt them. Stay with your child to listen, soothe and reassure him that the treatment is temporary and worth it.
   • You might consider wearing an eyepatch with your child. Even if you do this only once in a while, children may feel less self-conscious when they feel that adults are also wearing eye bands. You can also wear an eye patch for dolls or stuffed animals.
   • Encourage your child to see this as a game instead of a torture. Even with an understanding of what the eye patch works for, a child can feel punished. Show your baby the legendary pirates and other famous characters in the movie who often wear eyepatches. Suggest that your child compete with themselves in wearing an eyepatch.
   • There are many children's books about wearing eyepatches. For example, the book My New Eye Patch, A Book for Parents and Children (New baby eyepatches, parent and baby books) uses pictures and stories to explain wearing eye patch. Your child may find it normal to wear an eye patch when reading about other children's experiences.

5. 

   Reward it out. Make a plan for rewards when your child wears an eyepatch without complaints or discomfort. Rewards can help keep your child motivated to wear an eye patch. (Don't forget a young child doesn't feel good about rewards or long-term consequences.)
   • Post a calendar or writing board to keep track of your child's progress.
   • Reward your child with small things like stickers, pencils or small toys for accomplishing a goal, such as wearing an eye patch every day for 1 week.
   • Use rewards to distract very young children. For example, if your child takes off the eyepatch, put it back on and give him a toy or treat to let them forget the eye patch.

6. 

   Help your child adapt every day. Each time the eye patch is worn, the brain takes 10-15 minutes to adjust to the healthy eye being covered. Amblyopia occurs when the brain skips the visual trails of one eye. The eye patch will force the brain to recognize trails that have been skipped. This experience can be quite intimidating for unfamiliar children. Stay by your side to comfort your baby.
   • Have fun during this time to make the transition easier. Making positive bonds with the eye patch and a pleasant experience will make it easier for your child to go through the treatment process.

7. 

   Decorate the eye patch. If you are using a patched eye patch, you can encourage your child to decorate the outside of the eye patch with stickers. Ask your doctor which decorative materials are best and use them safely (eg, glitter should not be used, as it can come off and get in the child's eyes).
   • Never decorate the inside of the eye patch (face facing eyes).
   • Design sites like Pinterest offer lots of ideas to help you decorate. Prevent Blindness also offers suggestions for eye patch decorations.
   • Consider opening a party decoration. You can give your child's friends new eye masks to decorate. This can help reduce the loneliness of your child while wearing the eye patch.
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Advice

• Use the methods in this article in combination with specialist eye care methods. Are not attempt to self-diagnose and treat amblyopia without consulting your ophthalmologist or eye care specialist.
• Always maintain open communication with your child. You should also stay in touch with the doctor treating your child. Ask your doctor if you have one any any question.
• If your child has a squint, please let the photographer know so they can arrange so that the picture does not clearly show that the child has amblyopia. This will reduce your child's guilt on occasions when a photo is requested, such as a “photo shoot day” at school to be posted on the school yearbook.

Warning

• If you notice unusual side effects, take your child to the emergency room right away or contact your doctor.
• If your baby's amblyopia is a birth defect, remember that other organs also develop in the uterus at the same time. You need to take your child to the pediatrician to thoroughly check for any other problems.
• Any eye problem should be checked by an ophthalmologist or eye care specialist. Early development and treatment is extremely important to prevent vision loss.
• If amblyopia is not treated, the child may experience mild to severe vision loss.