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4 Myths and Facts About Lazy Eyes - Debunked!

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a condition where visual acuity is reduced in one or both eyes. It usually develops from birth or at a very young age. The condition arises in a child due to the brain suppressing information from the weaker eye. Despite many myths surrounding the extent of treating lazy eye, you must first know that it can be completely treated today.

This article discusses more myths and facts regarding the lazy eye to reduce the misconceptions regarding amblyopia you may have.

Debunking myths

The most common myths surrounding amblyopia include:

  • Amblyopia is crossed eyes/Strabismus
  • Lazy eyes cannot be cured after a certain age
  • Lazy eyes do not affect people who have 20/20 vision
  • Patching is the only treatment
 

Amblyopia is crossed eyes/Strabismus

There are two different types of amblyopia: strabismic and refractive. Of which, refractive amblyopia is the most common form of lazy eyes seen in children. When there is a significant difference between the refractive error of both eyes, it leads to refractive amblyopia. In most cases, these refractive errors persist from birth. The brain sees double images as the eyes fail to synchronize with each other.

Strabismic amblyopia differs from refractive amblyopia. It is a state of distortion that the brain creates when there is a misalignment between the eyes. As the brain fails to understand the image, it relies only on one of the eyes for information, causing a strabismic lazy eye.

Amblyopia is crossed eyes/Strabismus

If you see your child finding it difficult to concentrate while looking at an object;

  • One of the eyes or both turn away (up, down, in or out);
  • Your child is unable to use both his/her eyes at a time
  • Also, if you have a family history of a lazy eye, cataract, or other critical eye problems.

If you see these problems during your child’s early days of growth, speak to a pediatrician without fail.

Lazy eyes cannot be cured after a certain age

A myth revolves around the lazy eye condition that it can only be treated in children. The statement, however, stands false, and one does not have to be at a young age to get it treated. Surely enough, early treatment is for the better but age being the factor for treatment is incorrect.

Amblyopia is very much treatable in any age group. Make sure to visit your nearby optometry for the best guidance and therapy results.

Lazy eyes do not affect people who have 20/20 vision

Saying that lazy eye does not affect people with 20/20 vision stands as a false statement. Many people are unaware that Amblyopia or lazy eye is more of a brain problem than a vision disorder.  

A lazy eye occurs when both of your eyes fail to focus on a particular image, causing your brain to block the information in the image. Hence, someone with 20/20 vision can still suffer from a lazy eye.

Patching is the only treatment available

The misconception that patching is the only treatment for lazy eyes is completely false. Eye patching might be a temporarily effective and standard treatment, but there are other vision therapies that any eye doctor should be able to offer today. Digital vision therapy through dichoptic visual training is now a popular and clinically proven method for treating amblyopia in kids and amblyopia in adults.

If you are suffering from Amblyopia, ask your eye doctor about Bynocs therapy to get yourself treated. Our vision therapy software offers treatment in the form of games that encourage the patient to work with both eyes and reduce amblyopia symptoms significantly in just 6 weeks!