Lazy eye question!?

Question

My two year old daughter has been to the eye doctor recently because her right eye is wondering off to the outside. The doctor prescribed her glasses, saying that she would more than likely out grow it, but the glasses are just to give her an even better chance of out growing it. Anyway, within the the last 6 months (it started happening 6 mos ago) and its gotten worse and worse. Her glasses have not come in yet, so i was wondering if there was anything i could do at home to help her with it. it is bothering her really bad today, and she is closing it and just looking out of her good eye!

Answer 1

A very close friend of mine was instructed by her 2 year old daughter's doctor to put an eye patch over the lazy eye to help correct it. However, before doing this I would consult with her eye doctor to be certain this will help. They can also give you the proper type of eye patch and help you learn how to put it on and secure it.

Answer 2

Maybe you should get a 2nd opinion from another doctor.

I had that problem with my right eye when I was little...   it wasn't attended to until I was 5 when I had surgery to cut the muscle that was pulling my eye inward.  Because I didn't use the eye the first 5 years of my life I didn't develop the connections in my brain necessary to use the eye properly.  20 years later, I'm considered legally blind out of that eye (although the surgery and 'exercises' did get my eyes moving in unison which is great).  It would have been much better to get the problem fixed earlier.

See another doctor (preferably an optometrist),  find out ALL your options and get it taken care of.

I think the answer above me may be a little off.  The eye patch should go on the GOOD eye, to promote use of the 'lazy' eye.  (Lazy eye isn't really the term for this,  its strabismus.  Lazy eye [amblyopia or uncorrectable vision problems in one eye] can be the result of this condition)

Answer 3

It's really important that she uses the lazy eye so that vision in that eye does not deteriorate and become amblyopic.  I wouldn't worry about it too much if she gets the glasses soon; her vision won't deteriorate in a few days.  Once she gets the glasses, though, make sure to watch to see if she is using the lazy eye.  If she is still closing the lazy eye a lot, she will need more help (patch, surgery, etc.).  Since she is so young, her vision is still developing and should develop well with help, so I'm glad you have taken her to a doctor.  :)

Answer 4

My six year old sister has a lazy eye that her Pedi said she would grow out of at age 2-3, She hasn't yet.

Answer 5

I have worked with kids who have the same problem. Usually when they are that young drs recomend putting patch on the good eye so that the "lazy eye" will be forced to work. even if only for short periods of time to get that eye working. My nephew had this as a baby and was told that most kids grow out of it. he did not and still wears glasses. sometimes vision therapy can also help this condition.

Answer 6

A lazy eye can sometimes  be associated with amblyopia or muscle weakness in one eye, where the eyes prescription are unequal to each other or not working together. What can happen if not corrected or caught in time the bad eye can start to shut down as the brain will start to use only the good eye resulting in the loss of sight in one eye. This is the worst case scenario and will usually take a substantial period of time (years). Lazy eyes caught before the age of 8 are usually corrected with glasses or patches,  more often than not this means that they will not have to wear glasses forever. The glasses will make eyes work together (turning the eye in) or a patch over the good eye will force the bad eye to work. If you are worried you should go back to your optometrist where they should be able to answer any questions that you may have. Just remember if it was something really serious your Optometrist would of referred your daughter to an ophthalmologist. Once she has got the glasses you should notice an improvement.