For patients and the public

A: Amblyopia occurs when the sight in one or both eyes is underdeveloped, leading to reduced vision.

A: The most common cause is a squint, but it can also result from vision being blocked or one eye being more long-sighted or short-sighted than the other.

A: Treatment often starts with glasses to help the eye focus correctly. If reduced vision persists, patching or using eye drops called Atropine may also be needed to address visual development issues.

A: Patching and eye drops work by encouraging the weaker eye to work harder. By covering or blurring the stronger eye, the weaker eye is forced to develop better vision. Glasses should be worn simultaneously if prescribed.

A: The amount of patching or eye drops varies depending on your child’s age and the level of reduced vision. Your orthoptist will regularly monitor your child’s progress and create a tailored treatment plan to meet their specific visual needs.

A: Patching is effective when your child wears the patch as instructed. It is most successful when started at an early age. However, patching improves vision but does not correct a squint. Squints are treated with glasses and/or surgery.

A: Yes, atropine eye drops can be a good alternative for mild amblyopia. These drops blur the stronger eye, encouraging the weaker eye to work harder, similar to the effect of patching. Speak to a clinician to see if this is suitable for your child.

A: No, untreated amblyopia can result in permanently reduced sight that cannot be corrected later in life. Early treatment is crucial.

A: Activities like reading, drawing, or playing with small toys are ideal. Since their vision will be reduced, consider any necessary adaptations to their environment or tasks.

A: Being actively involved in your child’s treatment helps improve results. Providing feedback to the healthcare team and supporting your child with fun and engaging activities during treatment can boost compliance and effectiveness.

A: Speak with any eye care professional involved in your child’s treatment. They can answer specific questions and provide tailored advice.

A: Specialists use drops to enlarge the pupil and view the inside of the eye. By observing the light reflected off the back of the eye, they determine the required glasses’ strength.

A: Long sight, or hyperopia, is caused by the eye being too small. This results in light rays focusing behind the retina instead of on it. Long-sighted children may have reduced vision for both near and distant objects.

A: Short sight, or myopia, occurs when the eye is too large, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina. Short-sighted children often have more difficulty seeing objects at a distance, although near vision can also be affected.

A: Astigmatism occurs when the eye has an irregular shape, which affects how light is focused. This condition can cause blurred or distorted vision at all distances and is often present alongside long or short sight.

A: In some cases, vision can improve with glasses alone. However, it may take several weeks of consistent use for noticeable improvements.

A: In most cases, yes. If part-time wear is sufficient, your orthoptist will let you know.

A: This depends on factors like age, the strength of the glasses, and any other conditions. Consult your orthoptist for specific advice.

A: If you’re not used to wearing glasses or wear them for a different condition, your child’s glasses might look unusual to you. Rest assured, they are prescribed specifically to help your child achieve the best possible vision.

A: This is common when starting glasses. The brain and eyes are adjusting to working together with the glasses, which can take time. Persevere with the treatment, as this stage is crucial for progress.

A: A squint occurs when one eye turns and stops aligning with the other eye. The eye may turn inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards. The medical term for a squint is strabismus.

A: Long-sightedness is a common cause, as the effort to focus without glasses can cause the eye to turn. In other cases, the cause may be unclear, but there’s often a family history of squints or glasses.

A: No, there are many different types of squints and therefore many choices of treatment, some being more suitable for certain squints than others. No two squints should be compared.

A: No, squints generally do not resolve on their own, though some may improve as the child grows older.

A: Yes, treatment focuses on vision development, often involving glasses and possibly patching during early childhood. While some squints improve with better vision, others may require surgery to straighten the eyes.

This varies from patient to patient. Often, earlier intervention has better outcomes.