What is amblyopia?
Amblyopia is a loss of best-corrected visual acuity in one or both eyes due to abnormal visual experiences during visual development (monocular strabismus, refractive aberration, high refractive error, and form deprivation), with no organic pathology on ocular examination. The lower limit of visual acuity reference value at different ages is 0.5 at 3 years old; 0.6 at 4-5 years old; 0.7 at ≥6 years old.
Hazards of amblyopia
Amblyopia has a prevalence of 2-4% and must be treated aggressively once detected because amblyopic children have lower than normal visual acuity in one or both eyes, which can damage their stereopsis. Abnormal visual acuity and stereopsis will affect the normal learning and life of amblyopic children. Many occupations require people with normal corrected vision to perform.
Causes of Amblyopia
Amblyopia can be caused by one or more of the following factors.
1. strabismus.
2, large difference in the prescription of both eyes.
3, high number of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
4. visual deprivation caused by ptosis, cataracts, etc.
Amblyopia examination
1.Visual acuity examination, eye examination.
2, refractive state examination.
3, gaze nature examination.
4. electrophysiological examination.
The necessity of early detection and treatment of amblyopia
1, 0-3 years old is the critical period of visual development, during which any abnormal visual experience may affect the normal development of vision and eventually lead to the formation of amblyopia.
2, 4-8 years old is the critical period for amblyopia treatment, as the age grows, amblyopia will be more difficult to cure.
3, ≥ 12 years old amblyopia cure difficult. If children with amblyopia are not treated in time, their work and life will be limited after they become adults.
Treatment of amblyopia
Once the diagnosis of amblyopia is confirmed, it should be treated immediately, otherwise it becomes difficult to treat amblyopia when the age exceeds the sensitive period of visual development. Early detection and early treatment are necessary for early recovery.
1. Eliminate the causes, correct refractive errors, and treat congenital cataracts or congenital complete ptosis early.
2.Follow the doctor’s prescription to wear corrective glasses on time, and at the same time, properly cover the eyes with better vision, and carry out treatment of amblyopia training programs such as bead-piercing training and picture drawing training.
3.Optical drug therapy (suppression therapy), grating stimulation method, posterior image therapy, red filter film method, etc.
How can parents detect amblyopia early and cooperate with the treatment of amblyopia?
1. Parents should pay attention to their children’s vision from infancy, and they should go to the ophthalmology department in time to find out that children have crooked head and squinting eyes, and they should also pay attention to regular physical examination.
2, to fully understand that amblyopia treatment is a slow process, have patience and cooperate with good doctors to adhere to treatment.
3. Follow the doctor’s instructions for timely review.
Common misconceptions about amblyopia
1, amblyopia is good, glasses can not be worn?
The treatment of amblyopia means that the visual development has reached the level of the same age, but the refractive error (myopia, astigmatism, farsightedness) may change during this process, and glasses should be worn to correct it.
2, amblyopic children all need to cover up?
Covering the better eye with fine work is the most traditional and effective way to treat amblyopia, and it is most often used for children whose visual development differs too much between the two eyes. If masking is needed, whether to cover one eye alone or alternately, and the duration of each masking should be decided according to individual differences.
3. Is it normal for a child to be nearsighted when amblyopia is better?
If the amblyopia is caused by refractive error or refractive error, the treatment process may lead to myopia and even deepening of the child’s vision due to the stimulation of the child’s visual development. But after the amblyopia treatment, the stereo function and binocular vision function will be significantly improved, and then refractive correction will be possible.
4.After amblyopia treatment, is there any further treatment?
Amblyopia treatment takes a long time and requires patience and persistence of the child and parents. Even if the visual acuity reaches the normal level of the same age, it is necessary to insist on treatment and training for a period of time and regular review to avoid relapse.