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The human visual system is complex, this can lead to an incorrect diagnosis, which is why it is important to visit an optometrist that has extensive training and experience with lazy eye. A developmental eye exam performed by a developmental optometrist is recommended if a child is displaying symptoms of a lazy eye.
A lazy eye, referred to medically as amblyopia, is the result of improper development of the visual system which leads to a decrease in vision. A lazy eye usually only occurs in one eye, while the other eye is the stronger dominant one through which the person is able to see. However there are rare cases when both eyes can be amblyopic.
Binocularity is an essential term to understand how the visual system works. Monocular vision refers to the vision in each individual eye on its own. However, we are born with two eyes and therefore when discussing the visual abilities of each eye, it is important to also understand the visual skills of each eye and how it relates to the other eye, as both eyes are part of a team working with the brain to comprise the visual system. This is referred to as binocular vision which is when our eyesight is using both eyes together.
There are many binocular disorders which occur when both eyes are not working properly together. Some of the main ones include:
It’s possible for amblyopia to be confused with other binocular disorders. It requires a professional optometrist who is well trained in the field of developmental optometry to provide an accurate diagnosis of a lazy eye or any other binocular disorder. There are very precise tests performed in a comprehensive eye exam which assist the optometrist to reach the correct diagnosis without confusing different visual functions or disorders.
It is possible to confuse a lazy eye with other disorders especially a strabismus because these two conditions can coexist, as one can cause the other. The important thing to know is that even if one finds out in adulthood that they were misdiagnosed as a child, it is still possible to get treatment for the correct diagnosis using vision therapy.
A woman was diagnosed in her childhood with an untreatable lazy eye. This was an incorrect diagnosis, however the fact that it was deemed ‘untreatable’ turned out to be a blessing. Her lazy eye could have been corrected with a surgery which would have been entirely the wrong approach. Even if indeed it was a lazy eye, treating it with surgery is often ineffective and requires repeated surgeries.
She found out in adulthood that in fact she has convergence insufficiency which caused a strabismus. To break those terms down into explanations:
In our example, the woman has convergence insufficiency, meaning her eyes are not moving inwards in sync in order to focus up close due to the fact that there is a misalignment of her eyes and one eye is moving outwards. This could resemble a lazy eye, but it’s important to understand the intricacies of the visual system to be able to properly diagnose why the eye is wandering outward, in order to provide the proper treatment.
The good news is that even if there has been a wrong diagnosis, vision therapy is not limited by the age of the patient so it’s not too late to strengthen the visual system with a wide variety of visual skills. Vision therapy incorporates different visual activities to train the brain and both eyes to work together properly as a team.
It’s important to be checked by a developmental optometrist for various conditions such as amblyopia, in order to avoid a misdiagnosis. Our professional staff have extensive training and experience in this field. Please schedule an appointment at our office for a developmental eye exam.
Such a nice optician. My grandson is only 4 and needs glasses. We were so sad, but he explained the issues, and we will follow up as he suggested.
I had such a good experience with the clinic. Very friendly staff and doctor, did not have to wait for long to be called, and was treated respectfully. Thanks, American Family.
Dr. Zurcher has gone above and beyond what any other eye doctor has ever done to figure out what is going on with my eyes. Very happy with American Family Vision.
Family Vision Clinic changed our lives! My daughter was frequently car sick, and she was getting headaches every day, often painful enough that they brought her to tears. We saw a string of doctors and therapists, but we made no progress. Finally, we found Dr. Levi Zurcher and his eye therapist Rain. After ten weeks of eye therapy my daughter no longer gets headaches, and she no longer gets car sick. Daily tears are a thing of the past. I really can’t say enough about this clinic. It was fascinating to watch Dr. Zurcher work. For the first time, someone who knew what they were doing was intently studying my daughter, really trying to figure out all of her eye issues, and his therapist Rain is one of the most patient and lovely people that I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet. We’re finished with eye therapy—yay!—and I have switched to American Family Vision Clinic for all of my family’s other eye health needs.
Very professional, yet kind and helpful. They do what they can to make the appointment comfortable. I was running a bit late, I made sure ti call. They were able to switch me with a patient who was already there, they treated me with respect, and helped my son have confidence by getting him the eye care he needed that day. Thank you so much! Would recommend to anyone. It's a blessing that they care enough to work with people who have all different types of insurance from work to state coverage.
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