{"id":19950,"date":"2021-11-20T18:57:51","date_gmt":"2021-11-20T18:57:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=19950"},"modified":"2021-11-20T18:57:51","modified_gmt":"2021-11-20T18:57:51","slug":"is-treating-lazy-eye-in-adults-successful-7-top-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/vision-therapy-for-lazy-eye\/is-treating-lazy-eye-in-adults-successful-7-top-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Treating Lazy Eye in Adults Successful? 7 Top FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you been told there\u2019s no successful treatment for lazy eye in adults? Well, the old wisdom is wrong!<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to a study in Clinical & Experimental Optometry<\/i> an estimated 5 percent of the U.S. adult population have a lazy eye<\/a>. Until recently, these adults have been told they are just \u2018too old\u2019 to successfully treat their lazy eye.<\/p>\n

Even vision therapy, which is an effective treatment for lazy eye in childhood, was thought to only work in children before the age of 10.<\/p>\n

A recent study funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI)<\/a> found that lazy eye can be successfully treated in teens up to the age 17, and even in adults.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Here are the top 7 frequently asked questions about treating lazy eye in adults:<\/p>\n

Q1: What is a lazy eye?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, occurs when one eye is significantly weaker than the other, causing the brain to prioritize signals coming from the stronger eye, to the detriment of the weaker eye.<\/p>\n

As the brain gets more accustomed to \u201clistening\u201d to the signals from the stronger eye, it increasingly ignores the signals from the weaker one.<\/p>\n

Lazy eyes can impact your quality of life by leading to difficulties in reading, concentration and depth perception.<\/b><\/p>\n

Imagine trying to drive with one eye closed and without 3D vision?<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that a lazy eye is not the same as a crossed or turned eye<\/a>, which is a separate condition called strabismus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Strabismus can lead to a lazy eye if the crossed eye causes visual symptoms and the brain starts to ignore the visual signals from the turned eye.<\/p>\n

Q2: What causes a lazy eye?<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to Nemours Children\u2019s Health, one of the largest integrated pediatric health systems in the United States, amblyopia is most often hereditary in origin. Meaning it runs in families and genetics is the primary cause.<\/p>\n

Lazy eyes are also more common in children born prematurely or who have developmental delays or children with special needs, such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)<\/a> and Down Syndrome.<\/a><\/p>\n

To avoid visual problems, the brain will \u2018shut off\u2019 the weaker eye, causing a lazy eye<\/b>.<\/p>\n

In a healthy visual system, the brain will receive two images, one from each eye, the brain then combines these images to produce a clear 3D visual image. This is called binocular vision, and is the basis of important skills like depth perception.<\/p>\n

With amblyopia, binocular vision is severely hindered as a result of the brain primarily utilizing the images coming from one eye, causing a range of visual-related problems including double vision or eye strain.<\/p>\n

Severe nearsightedness<\/a>, farsightedness, <\/a>astigmatism, <\/a>or a constant eye turn can also cause a lazy eye.<\/p>\n

Q3: What happens if a lazy eye remains untreated?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A study from the National Eye Institute<\/i> found that amblyopia is the leading cause of single-eye vision impairment in the United States.<\/p>\n

If left untreated, a lazy eye may never develop good vision, and may even become functionally blind, which results in life-long vision loss.<\/p>\n

Adults with lazy eyes may experience fatigue and eye strain and extreme difficulties with 3D vision and depth perception, affecting their work productivity and enjoyment of sports and fun activities.<\/b><\/p>\n

An untreated lazy eye can also cause permanent issues with central vision and lead to the development of other eye conditions, such as strabismus, in which the eyes become misaligned.<\/p>\n

Q4: What is vision therapy?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Going to an eye doctor for vision therapy<\/a> is like going to the gym for your eyes and your brain.<\/p>\n

Vision therapy, is an effective treatment for lazy eye in childhood, was thought to only work in children before the age of 10.<\/p>\n

Studies funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI) found that lazy eye can be successfully treated even in adults.\u00a0<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Vision therapy is a customizable, individualized treatment program performed under the supervision of an eye doctor.<\/p>\n

This personalized program involves a series of progressive eye exercises to help you steadily develop normal visual skills that will improve the communication between your brain and your eyes.<\/p>\n

Sessions are usually once per week, and last roughly 30-45 minutes.<\/p>\n

Your eye doctor will assign home eye exercises to reinforce skills worked on during the in-office therapy sessions.<\/p>\n

Commitment to weekly sessions and therapy homework assignments are essential for optimal results.<\/p>\n

Contact an eye doctor near you<\/a> to learn more about vision therapy for lazy eye.<\/strong><\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: <\/strong>Lazy Eye FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t

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