Amblyopia (Lazy Eye); Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment

Treating Amblyopia With Occlusion

Occlusion refers to the use of an eye patch over the good eye. This forces the child’s brain to use the lazy eye since it will not be receiving images from the good eye. This treatment will not correct eye alignment, but can still strengthen vision in the lazy eye. In most cases, the child will need to wear the patch for at least a few hours each day, and most doctors will encourage activities such as doing schoolwork, reading, or coloring while wearing the patch. Close-up activities such as these force the eye to work harder, which in turn helps strengthen vision.

The length of treatment through occlusion will depend on factors such as the child’s age during treatment, the severity of their amblyopia, how well their parents can have them follow the doctor’s instructions, and how the lazy eye responds to treatment.

Atropine Eye Drops To Strengthen The Lazy Eye

Eye drops, typically atropine, are used during eye exams to force blurry vision in one eye and detect potential eye issues (such as amblyopia). However, they may also be used as an effective strengthening treatment, and are often just as effective as occlusion.

When treating amblyopia, atropine eye drops are used in the good eye to dilate their pupil and blur their vision when looking at close up objects. Thus, the lazy eye is forced to work harder, building its strength. Doctors can administer this treatment during an appointment. However, the most common route is for parents to apply the atropine eye drops at home. Atropine eye drops are typically administered one or two drops in the good eye once or twice a day, but individual cases can vary from this, and as such parents should always follow the instructions the doctor has given them.