Lazy Eye Treatment By Your Optometrist in Sacramento

A lazy eye is also known as amblyopia. It occurs when one eye is weaker than the other. In many cases, the lazy eye will wander inward or outward. This is a condition that starts during the first year of the childs life. If the condition is diagnosed and treated early, the long term visual outcome is often times dramatically improved. Our eye doctors at Arena Eye Care Optometry in Sacramento, CA, can perform an eye examination to determine if you or your child(ren) have or are at risk of lazy eye.

lazy eye

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Lazy Eye?

There are a few signs and symptoms of lazy eye. These include:

  • One eye that wanders in or out
  • Eyes that don't work together
  • Squinting or closing the affected eye while doing close-up work
  • Tilting of the head when doing close-up work
  • Poor depth perception
  • Difficulty reading an eye chart

What Causes a Lazy Eye?

There are a few issues that can cause a lazy eye. These include:

  • Muscle imbalance: This condition is also known as strabismus, and it is the most common cause of a lazy eye. The imbalance can cause your child's eyes to cross in or out. This can make it difficult for the eyes to work together properly. 
  • Refractive Anisometropia: This occurs when there is a significant difference in the prescription in each eye.
  • Deprivation: This occurs when there is an underlying medical issue with the eye.

Who Is At Risk For a Lazy Eye?

There are a few factors that can put your child at greater risk of developing lazy eye.

  • Being born prematurely
  • Low birth weight
  • A family history of lazy eye
  • Certain developmental disabilities

How Is a Lazy Eye Diagnosed?

A lazy eye can be detected during an comprehensive eye exam. If your optometrist suspects a lazy eye, they will use several tests to determine how well the eyes work together.

How Is a Lazy Eye Treated?

Without treatment, a lazy eye can result in permanent vision loss. It is vital that you have your childs visual system checked as soon as you suspect something isn't right. If your child is diagnosed with this condition, there are a few treatment options available:

  • Eyeglasses to help your child to see correctly.
  • An eye patch can be worn on the stronger eye, forcing the weak eye to work harder.
  • Bangerter filter: This is a filter that is put on your child's eyeglasses, and it will blur the stronger eye. It works the same way that an eye patch does.
  • Eye drops: Eye drops can be used to blur the vision in the stronger eye, causing the weaker eye to work harder.
  • Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the eye muscles.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

If you suspect that your child has a lazy eye, you should schedule an appointment with Area Eye Care Optometry in Sacramento. Please remember children often times accept the way life is or cannot explain what they experience so you should not rely on them mentioning it to you. Dr. Krister L. Holmberg or Dr. Shephali Patel will examine your child's eyes and should it be indicated prescribe the appropriate lazy eye treatment. Treatment is essential in protecting your child's vision in the future. You can call us at (916) 419-8167 to schedule an appointment today! 

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Monday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Tuesday

9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday

9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Friday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

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