What is a lazy eye?
What is a lazy eye?
Amblyopia – or “lazy eye” – is a condition where the eye and the brain do not work well together. Children with amblyopia develop good vision in one eye and poor vision in the other. 3 to 5% of children in the West have a lazy eye. In the Netherlands, approximately 6,000 amblyopic children are added each year. In the EU, that amounts to about 155,000 each year.
Amblyopia – or “lazy eye” – is a condition where the eye and the brain do not work well together. Children with amblyopia develop good vision in one eye and poor vision in the other. 3 to 5% of children in the West have a lazy eye. In the Netherlands, approximately 6,000 amblyopic children are added each year. In the EU, that amounts to about 155,000 each year.
Most children with amblyopia will not just start talking about their eyesight. Over time, they get used to seeing well with one eye and poorly with the other.
Most children with amblyopia will not just start talking about their eyesight. Over time, they get used to seeing well with one eye and poorly with the other.
What happens in amblyopia?
What happens in amblyopia?
From birth, a child's eyes and brain form vital connections. Anything that blocks or clouds vision in one or both eyes can slow down or hinder the development of these connections.
From birth, a child's eyes and brain form vital connections. Anything that blocks or clouds vision in one or both eyes can slow down or hinder the development of these connections.
If that happens, the brain may not fully recognize the images presented by the eyes, leading to the neglect of those images. As the eye is used less, it becomes weaker, resulting in a loss of vision (sharpness). This eye is then called "amblyope."
If that happens, the brain may not fully recognize the images presented by the eyes, leading to the neglect of those images. As the eye is used less, it becomes weaker, resulting in a loss of vision (sharpness). This eye is then called "amblyope."
What causes amblyopia?
What causes amblyopia?
A number of things can disrupt the normal brain-eye connections and lead to amblyopia or lazy eye. One of the most common problems is strabismus or squinting. In this condition, one or both eyes drift inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards. If the eyes are not aligned, the "straight" eye becomes more dominant. The visual acuity of the straight eye remains normal because the eye and its connection to the brain function normally. However, the poorly aligned or weaker eye does not focus properly, and the brain ignores the signal, ultimately leading to amblyopia.
A number of things can disrupt the normal brain-eye connections and lead to amblyopia or lazy eye. One of the most common problems is strabismus or squinting. In this condition, one or both eyes drift inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards. If the eyes are not aligned, the "straight" eye becomes more dominant. The visual acuity of the straight eye remains normal because the eye and its connection to the brain function normally. However, the poorly aligned or weaker eye does not focus properly, and the brain ignores the signal, ultimately leading to amblyopia.
Another common cause of amblyopia is anisometropia, which is a difference in refractive errors (lens strength) between the two eyes. One eye may be severely hyperopic (farsighted), myopic (nearsighted), or astigmatic (a form of blurred vision). These problems cause the vision to be blurry, and it is these blurry images that are sent to the brain. Over time, the brain begins to ignore these images, resulting in amblyopia in one or, very rarely, both eyes.
Another common cause of amblyopia is anisometropia, which is a difference in refractive errors (lens strength) between the two eyes. One eye may be severely hyperopic (farsighted), myopic (nearsighted), or astigmatic (a form of blurred vision). These problems cause the vision to be blurry, and it is these blurry images that are sent to the brain. Over time, the brain begins to ignore these images, resulting in amblyopia in one or, very rarely, both eyes.
Current treatment.
Current treatment.
First of all, the patient is prescribed to wear glasses for 18 weeks. After this period, the treatment method is chosen.
Currently, practitioners have only one effective method to tackle amblyopia, and that is to occlude the good eye. For a number of hours each day, the good eye is covered with an eye patch so that the weaker eye has to "work harder," which allows the neural pathways to develop better.
In the case of mild to moderate amblyopia, occlusion starts with 2-4 hours per day.
In the case of so-called severe amblyopia, occlusion starts with 4-6 hours per day.
In both cases, if there is insufficient effect from the treatment, the number of hours of occlusion is increased.
If the visual acuity of the lazy eye does not improve with part-time occlusion, a decision can be made for full-time occlusion.
First of all, the patient is prescribed to wear glasses for 18 weeks. After this period, the treatment method is chosen.
Currently, practitioners have only one effective method to tackle amblyopia, and that is to occlude the good eye. For a number of hours each day, the good eye is covered with an eye patch so that the weaker eye has to "work harder," which allows the neural pathways to develop better.
In the case of mild to moderate amblyopia, occlusion starts with 2-4 hours per day.
In the case of so-called severe amblyopia, occlusion starts with 4-6 hours per day.
In both cases, if there is insufficient effect from the treatment, the number of hours of occlusion is increased.
If the visual acuity of the lazy eye does not improve with part-time occlusion, a decision can be made for full-time occlusion.
far from ideal
Research shows: patching is problematic for a number of reasons.
A child with a patched eye is practically a severely visually impaired child that is treated for an extended period (sometimes for years) with an outdated therapy. And yet this occlusion therapy, in the absence of better options, is the standard care for children with amblyopia. This approach is, as long as the child consistently wears the sticker, effective, but certainly not without drawbacks.
far from ideal
Research shows: patching is problematic for a number of reasons.
A child with a patched eye is practically a severely visually impaired child that is treated for an extended period (sometimes for years) with an outdated therapy. And yet this occlusion therapy, in the absence of better options, is the standard care for children with amblyopia. This approach is, as long as the child consistently wears the sticker, effective, but certainly not without drawbacks.
On the brink of a new therapy
Vedea brings therapeutic dichoptic gaming as an approach to amblyopia into practice through a software application for VR smartphones that allows users to play special games and perform exercises.
Vedea Healthware BV
Europalaan 400
3526KS Utrecht
info@vedea.nl
+31 20 210 1064
Snel naar
Vedea Healthware BV
Europalaan 400
3526KS Utrecht
info@vedea.nl
+31 20 210 1064
Snel naar
Vedea Healthware BV
Europalaan 400
3526KS Utrecht
info@vedea.nl
+31 20 210 1064
Snel naar
Vedea Healthware BV
Europalaan 400
3526KS Utrecht
info@vedea.nl
+31 20 210 1064
Snel naar