Treatment for lazy eye
Treatment for amblyopia is more effective when the child is of a young age, usually below the age of 8. After this age, the likelihood of vision improvement drops, but certain treatments can still be effective. Basically, the earlier you get treatment the better the outcome. There are two approaches to lazy eye treatment, however, treating the underlying eye problem is the most effective way.
Some of these treatment options include:
The use of glasses
If the cause of your amblyopia is that you are nearsighted, farsighted, or you have astigmatism then correction glasses will be prescribed. It is expected of the child to wear the glasses regularly, that way the improvement of the eyes is monitored, and progress of the vision problem in the lazy eye is recorded. Sometimes glasses alone can treat amblyopia and no more treatment is needed.
Eye patches
This use of an eye patch to cover your dominant eye is another effective way to treat amblyopia as it would help strengthen your weaker eye. Usually, the doctor prescribes that you wear the patch 1 to 2 hours a day depending on how severe the condition is.
Eye drops
An atropine eye drop may also be prescribed to treat amblyopia. The purpose is to blur or cloud your vision in your healthy eye, that way you are forced to use your weaker eye more. This method of treatment is similar to that of an eye patch; however, this is a lot more comfortable and less awkward for a child.