Treatment for Lazy Eye in Central PA

Also known as lazy eye, amblyopia is a specific condition that can develop when one eye has poorer vision than the other. When the difference in visual acuity between one eye and the other is dramatic enough, the brain may begin to prefer the better eye. This may cause the weaker eye to wander outward or inward. Amblyopia is more frequently seen among infants and children, but it has a high chance to be corrected if the condition is detected early and treated accordingly. However, when amblyopia is left untreated, it may be more difficult to correct in the future and could even potentially impact the unaffected eye. 

While amblyopia develops more often with children, this condition may also affect older patients. Our team of eye professionals at The Eye Center of Central PA is highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of lazy eye in patients of all ages. If you or your child has an eye that wanders inward or outward, correction is possible. Get in touch with one of our locations throughout Central Pennsylvania to schedule your comprehensive eye exam.

The most obvious sign of a lazy eye is noticing one eye wandering inward or outward while the other eye behaves normally. Some other side effects of amblyopia, especially when it occurs in babies and children, may include decreased depth perception and irregular visual acuity test results. Although this condition is usually diagnosed by taking into account the obvious signs (such as the eyes not functioning together properly), recognizable symptoms may not always be present. For these situations, lazy eye may only be diagnosable through a comprehensive eye assessment.

Some optical issues that produce blurry, distorted vision or "crossed" eyes may result in the development of a lazy eye. Likewise, amblyopia could cause various other eye- or vision-related issues. Just a few disorders that can be often associated with amblyopia are refractive errors, cataracts, and muscle imbalances. If you believe that you or your child could have a lazy eye, it's vital to seek professional care immediately. Amblyopia can be easily fixed when diagnosed early, but prolonging treatment will make it more difficult to correct in the future.

The solutions available to treat lazy eye vary based on how significant your individual case is, as well as its underlying cause. When a lazy eye is caused by a refractive error (such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism), it may be improved simply with prescription eyeglasses or an eye patch to restore the weaker eye. Specially prescribed eye drops could also be given to blur sight in the stronger eye, encouraging the weak eye to work harder. Surgical treatment may be suggested for patients whose amblyopia is caused by a muscular imbalance or cataracts. Once we perform your comprehensive eye exam and run diagnostic tests, we will develop a customized treatment plan suited to your unique situation. Our skilled ophthalmologists and optometrists will work jointly to help you achieve your best vision and eye health.

Our board-certified ophthalmologists and skilled optometrists will decide which treatment is best for you, depending on the cause and severity of your lazy eye. If your condition is caused by a refractive error (like hyperopia, presbyopia, myopia, or astigmatism), we may offer a combination of prescription eyeglasses and an eye patch to encourage the weaker eye to work harder. However, if your amblyopia is caused by cataracts or a muscle imbalance, surgery may be considered instead. When your condition has been diagnosed and the cause has been discovered, we will discuss your treatment options in detail and help determine which solution is best for your needs. At The Eye Center of Central PA, our highly trained team utilizes industry-standard techniques and technologies to provide patients with the most innovative treatment options available.

When you think that you or your child may be exhibiting signs of amblyopia, or lazy eye, get in touch with one of our offices throughout Central Pennsylvania to schedule your one-on-one consultation. Thankfully, lazy eye is a condition that can be corrected easily when diagnosed early. However, the longer a patient waits to receive treatment, the more difficult it will be to address in the future. Once we identify the cause of your lazy eye, we will develop a customized treatment plan to improve your vision and restore the function of your weaker eye. Contact The Eye Center of Central PA to schedule your appointment.