Description

ABOUT LAZY EYE (AMBLYOPIA)

Amblyopia (lazy eye) is an eye condition in which one eye has less vision than the other or both eyes have less vision than normal limits although there is no structural disorder with the eye or the optic nerve. Vision is learnt starting from birth. Our vision develops as long as the brain develops and we learn to see in a more detailed way. If a condition arises during this period which hinders vision, for example if the diopter of one eye becomes higher than the other, that eye learns to have a more blurred vision and becomes lazy.

Causes of amblyopia

• Refractive errors: A higher refractive error in one eye than the other or a high refractive error in both eyes

• Strabismus: Deviation in one eye

• Other eye diseases: Cataract, corneal opacities, drooping eyelid covering the pupil which hinder vision

LAZY EYE DIAGNOSIS

Amblyopia cannot be identified by parents. In particular, amblyopia with no misalignment due to a refractive error may not be noticed by parents. It can only be identified by a doctor in a detailed eye examination.

Amblyopia can be seen at all ages. 

There are no specific ages to have an eye examination. A person with complaints can be examined regardless of age. If diagnosed early, amblyopia is very likely to be treated successfully. Therefore, infants and children should have at least one eye examination by 1-3 years of age even if they seem to have no problems.

LAZY EYE TREATMENT

If diagnosed early, amblyopia is quite easy to treat. If glasses are necessary, a pair is prescribed and the lazy eye is forced to function by covering the well-functioning eye at certain times. Surgery isn’t an option in the treatment of amblyopia. At our hospital’s visual therapy center, these patients are also treated with eye exercises called orthoptic exercises.

The Role of Nutrition in the Treatment of Amblyopia 

The main treatment for amblyopia involves having the patient wear a pair of appropriate-diopter glasses, covering the well-functioning eye and forcing the lazy eye to focus. Any vitamins taken do not have a direct effect on therapy.

First 10 Years

Treatment of amblyopia is naturally easier in the first 10 years of life and it is easier to improve vision.

• Patching Method

The patching method is based on the principle of covering the good eye and forcing the weak eye to work. The duration of patching is determined according to the patient’s age and level of amblyopia. Of course, the younger the patient, the shorter the duration of patching and treatment.

• Orthoptic Treatment

Being, in a sense, physical therapy for the eyes, orthoptic treatments are given at hospitals. At our hospital, orthoptic treatments are provided by the visual therapy center. In orthoptic treatment, exercises are made to force the eye to work, in addition to patching. CAM treatment is included in such exercises. Sessions last 40 minutes on average.

• Computer Programs

These can be used after 4.5-5 years of age in general. The interactive program consists of 11 different games designed to support patching treatment. The purpose is to increase the amount and quality of vision in the lazy eye. It is administered at home and the patient is asked to return for monthly visual checks. The program consists of 150 sessions and lasts nearly 5 months.

• CAM Treatment

This is a method which involves nearly 10-session programs implemented at the hospital using a special device. It doesn’t require surgical intervention or medication; each session lasts nearly 30 minutes and its efficacy has been proven.

• Visual Therapy Practices

This treatment method comprises the entirety of exercises done to recover the eye’s depth perception. Implemented with special devices and image techniques, this method allows the identification and administration of a customized treatment according to what needs to be improved in the patient. For example, if the aim is to give a patient three-dimensional vision and depth perception, the patient works with special images designed for this purpose or if both the patient’s eyes are lazy and the aim is to force them to work, then appropriate special exercises are given.

This is a chain of vision therapy sessions administered for those patients having issues associated with congenital or palsy-related strabismus, amblyopia or cerebral palsy, consists of customized treatment methods and was developed in the USA. The principle of this therapy chain is to re-teach the brain how to see;

• Vision is improved.

• The coordination between the two eyes and between the brain and the eyes is improved.

After 10 Years of Age

Neurovision™ Treatment

With Neurovision™, the treatment of amblyopia is performed under the supervision of the physician through a programme installed on the computer system. In this treatment, administered to people between the ages of 10-55 whose eye structure is deemed suitable, the brain is re-taught to see through computer technology and it is aimed to achieve an increase in vision through this method.

Visual Therapy Practices

For patients whose 3-dimensional perception is weak or doesn’t exist for whatever reason, treatment with vision therapy devices, exercises and methods ensures that both eyes can be used simultaneously, become more coordinated and flexible, and work faster and in better coordination with the brain. So the two eyes become capable of functioning at their maximum capacity.

VISION THERAPY

Patients whose 3-dimensional perception is weak or doesn’t exist for whatever reason can be treated with the best results at our Visual Therapy Center, which marks a first in Turkey.  Treatment with vision therapy devices, exercises and methods, which have been developed and in common use in USA for years, doesn’t strengthen the eye muscles, but ensures that both eyes can be used simultaneously, become more coordinated and flexible, and work faster and in better coordination with the brain. After the brain-muscle coordination is achieved, perception exercises ensure that the brain combines the images sent by the eyes in a more fine and detailed way, achieving 3-dimensional perception. So the two eyes become capable of functioning at their maximum capacity.

Which Complaints is Visual Therapy Applied for? 

• Amblyopia

• Congenital or palsy-related strabismus

• Narrowed visual field due to cerebral palsy

• Difficulty in reading

• Difficulty in learning

• Difficulty in 3 dimensional vision

• Sports Vision: Special programs for athletes

Results of Visual Therapy 

• Reduction in the eye’s deviation

• Improved sense of orientation

• Improved vision

• Improved reading skills

• Improved duration of concentration and visual attention

• Improved visual acuity

• Improved quality of life

• Reduced headaches

• Increased comfort in physical activity

• Improved performance for athletes

NEUROVISION TREATMENT

Who Can Receive Neurovision™ Treatment? 

The patient’s suitability is determined through a detailed eye examination.

Patients between the ages of 10-55, whose level of vision is above 15-20% and whose level of deviation is below 8 prism diopters and who have no other eye pathologies that may hinder vision, are considered to be suitable for treatment.

How is the Neurovision™ Treatment Administered?

The first session of the patient who is identified to be suitable for treatment is performed at the hospital by their physician. The treatment consists of approximately 40 sessions and each session lasts approximately 30-40 minutes. After the initial session applied by their ophthalmologist at the hospital, the patient may apply the rest of the treatment themselves through the computer programme provided to them, at home, or if they are able to create a suitable environment, at work. 1-2 sessions after beginning the Neurovision™ application, the patient’s level of vision is perceived by the program and, based on this data recorded in the computer, patient-specific exercises are generated after each session. The patient begins applying these exercises. The visual acuity and contrast sensitivity information entered into the system by the physician after monthly controls ensures the determination of the development of the customized treatment process.

Success in Neurovision™ Treatment

For the treatment to be successful, the sessions should be applied 3 days a week (every other day) for 40 minutes.

The physician’s control examination is necessary after the 5th, 10th, 20th and 40th sessions in order to observe the progress of the patient’s treatment. Results from the treatment can be achieved within 3-4 months through regular sessions and doctor’s control examinations.

Features of Neurovision™ Treatment

• It is a method administered for the treatment of amblyopia in people between the ages of 10-55.

• It is a non-surgical and medication free treatment method.

• It does not have any side effects and does not involve any risks for the patient.

• It is a US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) approved method.

• The application is easy and a significant part of it is performed at home.