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Amblyopia

If your child squints to see things clearly or has poor depth perception, it's time to see an ophthalmologist who will check for amblyopia and other common vision issues. Our doctors at Naples Eye Physicians in Naples, Florida recommend an initial vision screening for children who are between the ages of 3 and 5 years old and anytime afterward if you suspect there have been vision changes.

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What is Amblyopia?

Amblyopia is sometimes referred to as "lazy eye" because it affects the vision in only one eye and not the other. Amblyopia occurs when the brain stops recognizing the vision in one eye and starts relying on the other eye more and more. It usually begins in childhood, and if left untreated, it can cause lingering vision issues. Amblyopia is the most common cause of vision loss in children. Thankfully, amblyopia is easily treated.

How Does an Ophthalmologist Diagnose Amblyopia?

Our eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam on your child that will screen for amblyopia as well as other vision irregularities like nearsightedness and farsightedness. Sometimes those common issues can be the root cause of amblyopia. In other cases, there is no clear reason behind amblyopia. 

How Does an Eye Doctor Treat Amblyopia?

If there is a vision problem responsible for the amblyopia, the eye doctor will begin by correcting that issue with prescription lenses. After that, the brain will need to be retrained to use both eyes to see. Our ophthalmologist may put an eye patch on the child's stronger eye that will force the weak eye to work harder to see. There are also prescription eye drops that cloud the vision in the stronger eye so the brain will strengthen the weaker eye.  Some young patients see vision improvement right away but the average course of treatment for amblyopia takes several months and may have to be repeated down the road.

Schedule an Eye Exam Today

Preschool-aged children can benefit from a comprehensive eye exam that screens them for amblyopia along with other vision issues. Our ophthalmologists at Naples Eye Physicians in Naples, Florida are trained to detect vision abnormalities in children who may not be able to describe their vision effectively through words. Childhood vision issues like amblyopia are easily treatable but left unchecked can cause a lifetime of problems. Schedule an examination for your child today by calling our office or using our convenient online appointment request form.