Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news
Lazy eye in children
Lazy eye, medically known as amblyopia, is a common
vision disorder that affects children. It occurs when one eye has weaker vision
than the other, leading to reduced eyesight in the affected eye. It is not
related directly to any structural abnormality of the eye. It develops when
there’s a breakdown in how the brain and the eye work together, and the brain
can’t recognize the sight from the weaker eye. Early detection and intervention
are crucial in managing this condition effectively. Amblyopia is one of the
most common causes of preventable blindness in children.
Dr. Soveeta Rath, Consultant -
Pediatric Ophthalmology, Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, Delhi says, “Incidence
of amblyopia ranges between 2-5%. It usually presents in children when they
have refractive errors and are not corrected at the right time, because of
delay in detection and treatment. Children with lazy eyes generally present to
us with poor vision. The risk factors for amblyopia includes anisometropia
which means there is significant difference in the glass description of both
the eyes. If there is any cataract or corneal scar or any other causes that
obstruct light entering to the eye become an additional risk factor for
inducing amblyopia.”
Early signs and detection of lazy
eye:
Identifying lazy eyes in children
can be challenging as they might not always exhibit obvious symptoms. However,
certain signs could indicate its presence:
1. Squinting or closing one eye:
Children might squint or close one eye to see more clearly.
2. Poor depth perception: They
may struggle with judging distances or have difficulty with hand-eye
coordination.
3. Head tilting: Tilting the head
to one side to focus better could be a subtle sign.
4. Frequent rubbing of eyes: If a
child frequently rubs their eyes, it might indicate eye strain or fatigue ,
indirectly implying chances of poor vision in one or both eyes.
Prevention of lazy eye
Regular eye examinations are
pivotal for early detection. Pediatricians often conduct basic eye screenings
during routine check-ups. However, comprehensive eye exams by an eye care
specialist, including testing for visual acuity and eye alignment, are crucial
for detecting lazy eye.
Effective treatment strategies for lazy eye
The first step in treatment of
lazy eye is prescription of correct glasses and ensuring the children
constantly wear these glasses.
According to Dr. Rath, “Following
constant wear of glasses, patching of the good /stronger eye remains the gold
standard treatment. Covering the stronger eye with an eye patch for a few hours
each day forces the weaker eye to work harder, stimulating its vision
development. The duration of eye patching depends on the severity of amblyopia.
Timely intervention plays a pivotal role in treating lazy eye in children. The
effectiveness of treatment often depends on the child's age and the severity of
the condition.”
Other treatment strategies
Oral and topical medications like
Citicoline , Atropine drops in the good eye are also used in refractory
conditions. Video games using Ipad, dichoptic therapy, and perceptual learning
are the software based practices that have gained importance in the recent
past. These use various games that need a smartphone, laptop or desktop that
are attractive for children to play which enhances compliance, and also avoids
social stigma for the patch. Moreover in the absence of digital devices,
virtual reality headsets are being used to treat amblyopia today. These
therapies can be used in residual and refractive amblyopia as well as in
adults.
Importance of early intervention
Early detection and prompt treatment significantly
improve the chances of successful recovery from lazy eye. Children below the
age of seven tend to respond more effectively to treatment due to the brain's
higher plasticity and ability to adapt. Adults with an undiagnosed lazy eye may
not be able to correct the condition timely and effectively.
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