Summary

Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is a developmental vision disorder where one eye does not achieve normal visual acuity because the brain relies more on the stronger eye. It can develop from misaligned eyes, unequal prescriptions, or obstruction of vision in early childhood. If not treated, amblyopia may result in permanent visual impairment and reduced depth perception. The positive news is that with early detection and the right treatment, including traditional methods such as glasses and patching as well as modern approaches like Neurovision therapy, many patients can achieve significant improvements. Advances in vision science also show that adults can benefit from treatment, offering renewed hope for clearer and more balanced vision.

Amblyopia Treatment — Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Amblyopia, often referred to as “lazy eye”, is a common eye disorder that can affect both children and adults. While it might sound harmless, Amblyopia can have a significant impact on one’s vision if left untreated. Here, we’ll explore the causes, diagnosis, and latest treatments for Amblyopia.

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What Is a Lazy Eye?

Amblyopia occurs when one eye doesn’t develop normal visual acuity, leading to reduced vision in that eye.

How Does Lazy Eye Develop?

The brain receives weaker visual signals from one eye.
It begins to rely more on the stronger eye for visual information.
Over time, the brain favours the stronger eye, further weakening the vision in the affected eye (see image below).

Why Early Detection Matters

Early treatment is crucial to prevent potential vision loss.
If left untreated, amblyopia can lead to permanent vision impairment in the affected eye.

Hope for Adult Patients

While early treatment is ideal, there’s good news for adults with amblyopia:

AccuVision offers cutting-edge amblyopia treatments for adults in 2025.
Our advanced Laser Eye Surgery and innovative Neurovision™ brain training have helped thousands of adult patients achieve clear vision.

So, if you’ve heard that amblyopia can’t be treated as an adult, book in for a second opinion.

What Causes Lazy eye?

The term “amblyopia” encompasses more than just a “lazy” eye. It’s a neurological condition with various potential causes:

Strabismic Amblyopia (Misaligned Eyes Due to Muscle Imbalance) The brain suppresses the visual input from the misaligned eye, causing double vision.
Refractive Amblyopia (Difference in Prescription Between Eyes) One eye has significantly more nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism compared to the other eye.
Deprivation Amblyopia (Obstructed Vision During Critical Developmental Periods) This is the rarest form and it happens when something obstructs or blurs the vision in one eye during early childhood. This type of disorder could be due to congenital cataracts or other eye conditions.

Understanding these causes is the first step in identifying potential symptoms and seeking timely medical attention.

Severity Levels

Mild: vision reduced but better than 6/9.
Moderate: visual acuity between 6/12 and 6/18.
Severe: worse than 6/18, requiring intensive therapy.

What Are the Symptoms of Lazy Eye?

In children, amblyopia often goes unnoticed because the stronger eye compensates well. Signs may include:

Poor depth perception or clumsiness are common signs.
Squinting or closing one eye while focusing.
Difficulty reading or reluctance with near tasks.
Frequent eye rubbing.
Head tilting to favor one eye.

Adults with untreated amblyopia may notice challenges with driving, sports, or fine visual tasks due to reduced depth perception and one-sided blurred vision.

Our Unique Approach to Amblyopia Treatment

At AccuVision, we take a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to treating amblyopia in adults.

Step 1. Correcting the Underlying Visual Defect

Our first priority is addressing the root cause of amblyopia. Here’s why this step is crucial:

Prescription Disparity: Many adult amblyopia cases stem from a significant difference in prescription between the eyes, often with the stronger eye having no prescription at all.
Limitations of Traditional Methods: While glasses and contact lenses can improve vision when worn, they have limitations, such as tolerance issues with full prescriptions and the intermittent nature of visual aids. These factors hinder the brain’s ability to respond to neural conditioning.
Advanced Laser Eye Surgery: Contrary to common belief, Laser Eye Surgery is possible for many “lazy eye” cases. In fact, many high street clinics lack the technology to treat the complex prescriptions associated with amblyopia. Our technology and extensive experience allow us to address these challenging cases, providing improved vision through Laser Vision Correction.
Specialized Treatment for Eye Turns: In cases where amblyopia is caused by a squint or turn in the eye, we may recommend muscle surgery or other specialised treatments.

Step 2: Comprehensive Treatment Options

Following the correction of underlying visual defects, we offer our groundbreaking Neurovision™ therapy:

What is Neurovision™ therapy?

Neurovision™ is a clinically proven, non-surgical treatment for amblyopia that represents the cutting edge of amblyopia treatment in 2024. This innovative approach doesn’t involve surgery or medication and is particularly effective for adult amblyopia treatment.

How Neurovision™ Works

Brain Training: Uses computer-based interactive programmes to train the brain to see sharper.
Neuroplasticity: Harnesses the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, even in adulthood.
Customized Treatment: Tailored to each patient’s specific visual deficits and needs.
Non-Invasive: No surgery or medication required.

Benefits of Neurovision™

Significant improvement in visual acuity
Enhanced contrast sensitivity
Better binocular vision
Suitable for a wide range of amblyopia cases
Effective for adult patients previously considered untreatable

Our experienced clinical team will need to perform a number of screenings and baseline measurements in a comprehensive eye examination. This is to confirm whether you are a good candidate and likely to benefit from this treatment plan. Once we know about your history and type of Amblyopia, we will guide you on suitability and the best treatment strategy.

Additional Treatment Options

In addition to our advanced Laser Eye Surgery and Neurovision™ therapy, we offer a range of complementary treatments:

Patching Therapy: Encouraging the weaker eye to work harder by covering the stronger eye.
Atropine Eye Drops: Temporarily blurring vision in the stronger eye to promote use of the weaker eye.
Bangerter Filters: Special filters on eyeglass lenses to balance visual input between eyes.
Vision Therapy: Prescribed exercises to enhance visual skills and eye coordination.
Specialized Glasses: Custom-designed corrective lenses for adult amblyopia cases.

Treatment Option	Best For	Advantages	Limitations
Glasses/Contacts	Refractive amblyopia	Non-invasive, widely available	Children not usually compliant
Patching	Children	Proven over decades	Compliance difficulties
Atropine Drops	Individuals who do not prefer patching	Easier to manage socially	Side effects possible
Orthoptic Exercises	Strabismic amblyopia	Improves eye coordination	Requires regular effort
Neurovision Therapy	Adults & older children	Evidence-based, non-invasive	Needs access to specialist clinics/computer devices
Surgical/Laser Options	Severe cases	Corrects structural issues	Limited eligibility

Are You a Candidate?

You may qualify for amblyopia treatment if you meet the following criteria:

Have blurry vision in one eye despite wearing glasses.
Were diagnosed with amblyopia as a child and want to improve vision as an adult.
Struggle with depth perception or daily visual tasks
Want to explore alternatives to patching or have not responded well to traditional therapy.

Why Choose AccuVision for Amblyopia Treatment?

Latest Amblyopia Treatment Strategy: Our advanced equipment, including Neurovision™ therapy, allows us to treat complex cases other clinics can’t handle.
Comprehensive Approach: We address both the underlying causes and symptoms of amblyopia.
Experienced Specialists: Our team has extensive experience in treating amblyopia in both children and adults.
Personalised Care: We tailor treatment plans to your unique needs and lifestyle.
Proven Results: Our success stories speak to the effectiveness of our methods, especially with Neurovision™ therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes amblyopia?

Amblyopia is primarily caused by abnormal visual experiences during early childhood. These experiences can disrupt the nerve pathways between the retina and the brain. Common triggers include strabismus (eye misalignment), significant refractive differences between the eyes, and conditions that obstruct or blur vision during critical developmental stages.

Can amblyopia be corrected?

Yes, amblyopia is treatable, especially when detected early. Various methods, from patching and eye drops to advanced surgeries and emerging treatments, can significantly improve vision in the affected eye. Early intervention offers the best chances of correction; however, amblyopia treatment for adults in 2023 is fully achievable.

Is amblyopia a serious problem?

Amblyopia should be taken seriously, especially if left untreated. It can lead to permanent vision impairment in the affected eye. However, with timely and appropriate treatment, many individuals experience significant vision improvement.

What is the best treatment for amblyopia?

The best treatment for amblyopia depends on the individual’s specific case and its underlying cause. Traditional treatments include patching, atropine eye drops, corrective lenses, vision therapy, and surgery for certain cases. Specialised laser eye surgery to correct the underlying visual defect and Neurovision™ in clinically suitable patients is a new and clinically proven, lasting treatment for amblyopia in adults.

How to fix a lazy eye?

Fixing a lazy eye, medically known as amblyopia, often involves a multifaceted approach tailored to the individual’s specific condition. At AccuVision, we prioritise correcting the underlying visual defect, which is frequently characterised by a substantial difference in prescription between the two eyes. While glasses and contact lenses can provide vision correction, they may have limitations when it comes to promoting neural conditioning. Contrary to a common misconception, it is possible to consider laser vision correction for individuals with a lazy eye, depending on clinical suitability. At AccuVision, our advanced technology and expertise allow us to address many high and complex prescriptions contributing to amblyopia. This can significantly enhance your visual acuity and overall quality of life. In cases where a lazy eye results from a squint or eye turn, muscle surgery or alternative treatments may be recommended. These interventions aim to correct eye alignment and facilitate better visual coordination. The next step, if clinically suitable, involves initiating a Neurovision™ training programme. Neurovision™ is a proven non-surgical treatment for amblyopia that focuses on enhancing best-corrected spectacle vision in one or both eyes. This programme employs a series of interactive computer-based exercises designed to train the brain to perceive sharper images.

Can a lazy eye be prevented?

Preventing a lazy eye often involves addressing its underlying causes, such as strabismus or significant refractive errors, as early as possible. Regular eye examinations for children can help identify and address these issues promptly. Timely treatment can prevent or mitigate the development of amblyopia.

How effective is the amblyopia treatment?

Once we know more about your type of Amblyopia we can guide on expectations for your vision and improvement. The average improvement for patients found suitable for treatment is more than 2 lines on the eye letter chart.

Are there any risks involved in lazy eye treatment?

With correct patient selection, there are no known risks, side effects or complications resulting from Neurovision™ for Amblyopia as it doesn’t involve surgery or medication.

How long does the Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) treatment at AccuVision take?

The Amblyopia (lazy eye) treatment is usually around 30 minutes a session, completed at home 3 times a week, with a total of 30-50 sessions. It will take approximately 3 months to finish the Neurovision™ treatment and you are monitored by us in the clinic at various stages on your journey.

What are the costs of amblyopia treatment?

Initial consultation £250. Treatment package costs are available and depending on your tailored plan, you can discuss your vision and history with one of our Clinical Team who will then be able to guide on costs.

How quickly will I notice that my vision is improving after amblyopia surgery?

You may start to notice a visual improvement in as little as 2 weeks, but exact recovery time is unique to each patient.

Can amblyopia be treated in adults?

Yes. Thanks to modern amblyopia treatments such as Neurovision and binocular training, many adults can achieve measurable vision improvements.

What are the main causes of lazy eye?

Common amblyopia causes include squint, unequal focusing errors, or obstruction of vision in early childhood.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment duration varies with amblyopia severity. Some patients improve in weeks, while others may require several months of therapy.

Is patching still effective?

Yes, patching remains effective in children, while adults benefit more from modern therapies like perceptual learning.

What happens if amblyopia is left untreated?

If untreated, amblyopia can cause permanent vision loss in one eye, reduced depth perception, and difficulties in everyday activities.

Take the First Step Towards Clearer Vision.

Don’t let amblyopia hold you back. Our expert team at AccuVision is ready to provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan, featuring our groundbreaking Neurovision™ therapy. Book your consultation today and begin your journey to improved vision with AccuVision’s advanced treatments. The AccuVision team is not call center based. We will use the information you provide here to direct your enquiry appropriately, and your information is not used for unsolicited marketing or sold to third parties.

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