Diagnosis and treatment of amblyopia in children

Amblyopia is a condition of reduced vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses and is not caused by any eye disease. The brain, for some reason, cannot fully perceive the images transmitted by the eyes of amblyopic patients. Amblyopia usually occurs in only one eye, but sometimes it can reduce vision in both eyes.

Regular eye exams to detect amblyopia in children early. Photo: A.Yen

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong, Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital, said that most cases of vision loss due to amblyopia can be prevented or restored if treated with appropriate measures. About 3% of children under 6 years old have amblyopia. Depending on the eye's vision, amblyopia is divided into 3 levels: mild, moderate and severe.

Causes of amblyopia include: strabismus; refractive errors; obstruction of the visual axis; and other risk factors such as low birth weight, family history, and developmental delay. Another complication of amblyopia is worsening strabismus due to impaired ability to combine the eyes.

However, amblyopia can be treated. If you see your child frequently squinting, tilting his head or closing one eye, you should take him to an ophthalmologist for examination, diagnosis and timely treatment.

Doctors will treat amblyopia by having the child use the weaker eye to see in order to improve and strengthen the connection between the brain and both eyes.

Treatments include: wearing an eye patch over the strong eye to force the brain to use the weaker eye to see, while strengthening the weaker eye; refractive correction; cataract surgery; eye drops or, rarely, surgery.

According to Dr. Hong, most children need to treat amblyopia for at least a few months. Regardless of the method used, parents should encourage and remind their children regularly, not neglecting to practice to achieve the best treatment results.

Peace

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202506/chan-doan-va-dieu-tri-benh-nhuoc-thi-o-tre-nho-ec611e7/