amplifyeyecare-logo-base2-icon

Scientific Studies on Lazy Eye

Scientific research has provided many beneficial breakthroughs in the way we understand and treat a lazy eye.

Find an amplify doctor near you
Scientific Studies on Lazy Eye Optometrist

Scientific Studies on Lazy Eye Videos

What is a lazy eye?

Approximately 2-3% of American children have amblyopia, which is the medical term for a lazy eye. It is the main cause of loss of vision in children in one eye. Amblyopia is a condition that occurs when the eyes are not working together properly as a team along with the brain. Each eye is receiving its own image which is not coordinated with the other so in order to cope, the brain shuts off communication with one eye, nicknamed the ‘lazy eye’ by suppressing it. Clear vision is achieved by the other, stronger eye as the lazy eye cannot achieve 20/20 vision, even with an optical correction.

 

Studies on Treatment for Lazy Eye

It is important to understand what the standard method of treating a lazy eye used to be. The approach was generally to promote as much patching as possible. Patching means to close off the strong eye in order to force the lazy eye to step up and communicate with the brain in order to achieve clear vision. In addition, it was believed that patching was no longer effective after the critical time period of development, which is somewhere between the ages of six and nine so there was a rush to begin patching as early as possible. In addition to patching, it’s important to also provide an accurate optical correction. Since there used to be value to patching as early as possible, the patient would receive the appropriate optical correction and begin patching as soon as possible, often simultaneously.

Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG)

A group of optometrists and ophthalmologists, known as the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) are funded by the National Eye Institute to do clinical research on various pediatric eye conditions. Most of their research has focused on treatment for amblyopia in children and adolescents and comparing various methods to find the most effective strategy. These studies have come to be known as the Amblyopia Treatment Studies (ATS) which have greatly improved the way that eye care health providers are treating a lazy eye.

 

Amblyopia Treatment Studies (ATS)

The results of the ATS research have made a huge impact on how we treat amblyopia today. There are different elements to the overall treatment which will be discussed in further detail below.

  • Optical Correction: The accepted method of treatment is now to first provide the patient with an accurate optical correction. After 6-8 weeks of the patient wearing the new prescription glasses, a follow up appointment is scheduled. Some children will not need anymore treatment once they have been wearing the proper glasses. At this follow up appointment, the optometrist will decide if the child does need more treatment in addition to wearing the accurate prescription. If further treatment is required, the child is now at an advantage because he or she has clearer vision which allows for better compliance in the following steps.
  • Patching: For patients who require more treatment, the next step is occlusion therapy, or patching. A fascinating result of the study is the research that proved that two hours of patching daily in children with moderate amblyopia yielded the same results as patching for six hours a day. For children with severe amblyopia, six hours a day proved to be just as effective as a full day of patching. Also, there were children with severe amblyopia who had great results from just 2 hours of daily patching. In conclusion, we have clinical proof that less patching than what was practiced previously yields effective results and helps tremendously with compliance. It is important that no matter how long the patient is told to close the strong eye, one hour of patching should involve activities from a close up distance in order to stimulate the visual system.
Studies on Recurrence

Studies on Recurrence

Research has shown that approximately 20% of children who complete treatment for a lazy eye, will have the condition return. Therefore, it’s very important that even after treatment is completed, the patient is scheduled for follow up appointments to ensure proper monitoring.

In order to reduce the likelihood of recurring amblyopia, it is essential to provide the proper plan for ending treatment. Instead of abruptly ending the treatment, it is beneficial to progressively end by tapering down the treatment method.

Find an amplify doctor near you
Vision Therapy optometry and eye care
Amplify EyeCare and Optometrists

Want Perfect Vision? Connect With a Top-Notch Amplify EyeCare Optometrist Today

Amplify EyeCare is a team of a passionate and experienced optometrists practicing eye care at the cutting edge of technology and vision science. We are growing with new locations coming across the US.
Visit a Vision Therapy eye center at an Amplify EyeCare practice near you:

Common Questions

Medicated eye drops which blurs vision when applied to the eye is used as an alternative to patching. The strong eye is blurred out using these eye drops, forcing the lazy eye to learn to work properly with the brain in order to provide clear vision. The drops are only obtained by prescription from a healthcare provider. It is important that all potential side effects are explained before using this type of eye drop. In addition to blurring vision, these eye drops can cause stinging and other such discomfort which makes compliance more challenging. The PEDIG research made a breakthrough in proving that for a moderate to severe case of lazy eye, using eye drops only on the weekends provides the same benefits as daily administration.
Yes, lazy eyes can be treated for adults as well, not only children. There used to be a widespread misconception that after a child passes a particular age of development, believed to be approximately between ages six and nine, treatment for a lazy eye would no longer be effective. Thanks to scientific research, most notably that of the works of Levi, Li and colleagues, we now know that a lazy eye can be treated even in adulthood.
Amplify EyeCare cartoon

Summary

Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is a condition where the brain suppresses communication with one eye, leading to vision loss. Previous treatment methods involved patching the stronger eye for extended periods, but recent research by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) has brought significant advancements. The Amblyopia Treatment Studies (ATS) have shown that providing accurate optical correction is the initial step, followed by patching for shorter durations. Two hours of daily patching can be as effective as six hours, and even severe cases can benefit from reduced patching time. Close-up activities during patching stimulate the visual system. It's crucial to schedule follow-up appointments to monitor recurrence, and gradually tapering down the treatment method can help prevent relapses.

Contact Us To Amplify Your EyeCare

starchevron-downarrow-uparrow-right