How do I improve my eyesight when I have Amblyopia?

Question

My left eye is stronger than my right. Somehow, I have managed to conceal my lazy eye. Even though that's the case, I still feel uncomfortable about it, and often think about it. Sometimes when I'm tired I can feel that it is turning in, and it is really hard to make eye contact when this occurs. I'm an 18 year old male, and am very busy. I try to get some use out of my right eye by reading and doing simple common sense eye exercises such as focusing on close objects and then distant ones... going back and forth. I have also used the bates method, but am not completely satisfied with the results. I've recently discovered atropine eye drops. I've yet to try them though. I know that my eye muscles aren't as easily correctable as they were when I was a child, but I still long for improvement. What do you recommend? By the way, surgery is an option I suppose. I don't have much money, and am not very knowledgeable on the subject. Thanks!

Answer 1

If you are far-sighted, contacts may help to alleviate the strain on your eyes and prevent the eye from turning in.  If it is truly muscular, some vision therapy may help.  You should see if there is a doctor who practices vision therapy in your area...

Answer 2

Your question is very good and reasonable but the problem is that it's extremely difficult to answer off the cuff.  Amblyopia has multiple causes and depending on what your history of treating, e.g. ?patching as a child, was.  It's hard to know what treatment is best for you without knowing the underlying cause.  This is a serious matter and, in my humble opinion, really will require thorough evaluation with a specialist (I realize that money is an issue for you).  Many Ophthalmologists offer consultations and perform the necessary surgery (if indicated for free or at a highly reduced cost) just enough to pay for the bare bones of the procedure on a voluntary basis.

Depending on where you live, please contact a major Academic Medical Center, there are many brilliant Ophthalmology centers throughout the country (particularly in Miami B. Palmer, Upenn-Hosp of Pennsylvania, Harvard, NYU, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Stanford, Berkely, Wash U. St. Louis (Beth Israel Hospital), Baylor, TX, etc.) all brilliant institutions which may supply you with providers who provide free or low cost consultation and therapeutic options.

Here's a bona fide medical link below for your information about Amblyopia and how it can be managed at various stages, according to its cause:

http://www.emedicine.com/OPH/topic316.ht...

I wish you the best.

Answer 3

contacts

Answer 4

I have the same condition that you have. My left eye is the dominant one, as the vison in my right eye is virtually gone. The right eye used to turn outwards a lot, and I was very uncomfortable in social situations because of it. But, I had an eye surgery 2 years ago that corrected the drifting that occured. I stopped treatment on my right eye, as the opthomologist said that nothing could be done anymore about the vision....because I am too old ( I'm 14!)

Have you gone to the doctor recently? I don't know if you can still correct the vision in your weak eye. For me, I had to wear and eye patch ( covering my left eye ) for at least 4 hours a day, forcing the right eye to work. With the patch, simple tasks such as watching TV or attempting to read would stimulate the eye, and I did see some slight improvment. With the eye muscle, however, there isn't much you can do unless you want surgery. If you are up for it, I think you should do it. It is worth it, and doesn't hurt very much. I got it done when I was 12, so for an 18 year old, I think you would be able to handle it no problem.

Continue with the eye exercises and go see and an opthomologist. Good Luck!! =)