My Child Has Lazy Eye. What Happens Now?

If your child has been diagnosed with a lazy eye or amblyopia, it’s natural to feel concerned and wonder what’s next. At Richens Eye Center, serving families in St. George, UT, and Mesquite, NV, we specialize in comprehensive eye care for the whole family, using the most advanced approaches to help children with amblyopia achieve the best vision possible. Our experienced team is here to offer compassionate care and guide you through effective treatment options designed to strengthen your child’s vision.

Understanding Lazy Eye and Its Effects

A lazy eye occurs when one eye has reduced vision because the brain and eye aren’t working together as they should. The condition can develop for various reasons, such as eye muscle imbalance, a difference in prescription between the two eyes, or even due to cataracts or a drooping eyelid. A lazy eye could lead to serious lifelong vision issues if left untreated.

Thankfully, treatments can be very effective, especially when started early.

Treatment Options for Lazy Eye

Depending on the cause and severity, your child’s Richens Eye Center doctor can prescribe a personalized treatment to help strengthen the weaker eye and restore balance between the eyes. Our treatment options for children with lazy eye include:

• Corrective Eyewear: Glasses or contacts can help equalize the vision in both eyes, allowing your child’s brain to receive a more balanced visual input.
• Eye Patching: Wearing a patch over the stronger eye encourages the brain to rely on the weaker eye, helping it become stronger.
• Eye Drops: Your child’s eye doctor may prescribe drops that temporarily blur vision in the dominant eye. This stimulates and strengthens the weaker eye.
• Vision Therapy or Exercises: Exercises or therapy sessions can help improve eye coordination, focusing, and tracking, especially for kids.
• Surgery: In cases where structural issues like drooping eyelids or pediatric cataracts contribute to amblyopia, we may recommend surgery to correct alignment or remove obstructions.

These treatments work best when started early, as children’s brains are still developing and can adapt to the improvements in visual input.

Lazy Eye Care at Richens Eye Center in St. George, UT

At Richens Eye Center, we’re here to help your child achieve better vision and eye health. Our team understands parents’ concerns and offers treatments in a supportive, understanding environment. Call us at 435-986-2020 to schedule a consultation in St. George, UT, or Mesquite, NV, for a caring and effective approach to lazy eye treatment.