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Until recently, available treatments for amblyopia (lazy eye) included wearing glasses, using eye drops, visual therapy exercises, and, most effectively, wearing a patch.

Definition

Amblyopia (or lazy eye) is a condition of low vision that usually affects only one eye. It develops when there is a malfunction in the way the brain and eye work together, causing the brain to fail to recognize the vision from one eye. Over time, the brain relies more and more on the other, stronger eye – while the vision in the weaker eye deteriorates.

It’s called “lazy eye” because the stronger eye works better. But that doesn’t mean people with amblyopia are lazy, they just can’t control the way their eyes work.
Amblyopia begins in childhood and is the most common cause of vision loss in children. On average, 3 out of 100 children have amblyopia. The good news is that early treatment works and usually prevents long-term vision problems.

Causes of amblyopia

In most cases, the exact cause of amblyopia in a child is unknown. However, sometimes a different vision problem can lead to amblyopia.

Normally, the brain uses nerve signals from both eyes to see. But if an eye condition causes poor vision in one eye, the brain tries to function without it. It starts to shut down signals coming from the weaker eye and relies solely on the stronger eye.

Some of the conditions that can lead to amblyopia are:

Refractive errors: This includes common vision problems such as myopia (problems with seeing at a distance), hyperopia (problems with seeing at a distance), and astigmatism (which leads to blurred vision). Normally, these problems are solved by wearing glasses or contact lenses. But if left untreated, the brain can start to rely more on the eye with stronger vision.

Strabismus: Normally, the eyes move together as a pair. But in children with strabismus, the eyes are not synchronized in their movements. One eye may move more inward, outward, up, or down.

Cataracts: Cataracts are clouding of the natural lens of the eye, causing blurred vision. Cataracts usually occur in older people, but there are also types of cataracts that can occur in babies and children.
Some children are born with amblyopia, while others develop it later in childhood.

The chances of amblyopia are higher in children who:

• Were born prematurely
• Were born with a lower than average birth weight
• Have a family history of amblyopia, childhood cataracts, or other eye conditions
• Have developmental disabilities

Symptoms

Symptoms of amblyopia can be difficult to spot. Children with amblyopia may have poor depth perception – they have trouble telling how close or far away something is. Parents may also notice signs that their child is struggling to see clearly, such as:

  • Strabismus
  • Closing one eye
  • Tilt the headа

In many cases, parents don’t know their child has amblyopia until a doctor diagnoses it during an eye exam. That’s why it’s important for all children to have a vision screening at least once between the ages of 3 and 5.

Treatment

As part of a child’s regular eye exam, the doctor will also check for signs of amblyopia. That’s why all children between the ages of 3 and 5 should have their vision checked by an ophthalmologist at least once.
The earlier the signs of amblyopia are detected, the greater the chances of its treatment.

Promedica Ophthalmology is the only clinic that has the latest device for the treatment of amblyopia, called Ambliocor-01-3. Treatment with this device is fun in nature, without the possibility of side effects and with a proven effect, both in children and adults.

Therefore, find out more about this type of treatment and schedule an appointment at Promedika Ophthalmology:
Address: 50 St. Cyril and Methodius Street
Phone: 0800 301 30 / 071 301 301
E-mail: [email protected]
We are waiting for you!

Smart glasses

Until recently, the available treatments for amblyopia (lazy eye) were wearing glasses, using eye drops, visual therapy exercises and, most effectively, wearing a patch. Although the eye patch has proven to be the most effective solution, it can still lead to some unwanted effects such as:

  • Danger of a healthy eye turning into a sullen eye as a result of wearing a patch;
  • Excessive wearing of the patch can affect the normal circulation of tears down the eye;
  • The possibility of an allergic reaction to the patch; the patch itself can lead to an increase in the temperature of the eye if it is worn for a long time;
  • Difficulties in coordination are caused by parents having to adhere to a strictly defined time for putting on and taking off the patches.
  • Most importantly, the child faces social stigma, which can affect his normal psychological development.

See Smart glasses work on the principle of forcing the lazy eye to work properly. The dominant eye gradually closes with a special glass made of liquid crystals, while the closing occurs at specific and adjusted time intervals. The main task of these glasses is very similar to eye patches. The difference is that with these glasses the grumpy eye closes regularly and electronically.

Vidi Smart glasses will help your child to get used to the treatment for grumpy eye easily. These eyes are unique and unique in the world.
Numerous international clinical studies testify to the effectiveness of this treatment for low vision. Unwanted effects are not described.

Amblyocor-01-3

The method of restoration of visual functions proposed by us is based on biofeedback self-regulation, in the conditions of a closed circuit: retina of the eye – cortical centers of the visual analyzer – video-computer system. The method is based on the principle of adaptive biocontrol.

During the treatment, the patient is in front of a TV screen on which an interesting video is played. Instead, an electroencephalogram (EEG) is registered with a visual projection from the cortex to the brain. With the help of a special mathematical analysis, we calculate oscillations in the activation of neurons in the visual cortex, which characterize the quality of vision or its reduction. The TV screen that shows the film is played for a period of time at a suitable quality of vision and turns off when the state of the visual cortex is characterized by a decrease in the quality of vision.

The normal motivation of a person is to watch an interesting movie without breaks. The patient’s brain is subconsciously looking for ways to increase the time it takes to watch the movie without any breaks, so that self reorganizes the work of the visual cortex, thus creating a constant neural activation. During the daily repetitions of this procedure (usually 10-20 sessions with a duration of 15-30 minutes), the patient’s brain gradually forms new reflex connections ensuring a higher level of visual function, with a stable increase (for amblyopia and hypermetropia) or decrease (for myopia) of neuronal excitability from the visual cortex.

Thus, the normal functioning of the visual cortex of the brain is restored and visual functions are significantly improved. The novelties and advantages of this technique are the possibility of restoration of visual function through correction of bioelectrical activity in the visual cortex.

For the first time, we offer a method for rehabilitation and restoration of the remaining visual function in children with congenital and hereditary diseases of the retina and optic nerve, with secondary refractive and amblyopic cortical disorders, which overlap with the presence of organic disorders. This is achieved by improving the localization of the retinal part that receives visual information, i.e. bringing them closer to the center in case of failure of the faveolar and macular regions, with the formation of new connections between the retina and the visual cortex and with cortical-subcortical repurposing.

The main advantages of this method are:

  • it can be used for younger children starting from the age of 3, as well as for middle schoolers and adults. Its effectiveness does not depend on the age of the patient at the time of starting the treatment or the duration of the existing disease;
  • it is absolutely safe and does not cause additional damage to the retinal neuroepithelium compared to light methods and can be used in patients with organic damage to the optic neuroretina;
  • when this method is used, there is no amplification of paroxysmal activity on the EEG, which does not allow us to treat patients with combined neurological pathology (after consultation with a neurologist);
  • restoration of visual acuity can be repeated depending on the deterioration of visual functions related to the patient’s age;
  • it is fun by nature and is not followed by painful or unpleasant feelings for the patient, so children and adults follow the sessions for visual correction with great satisfaction.

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