Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is a condition that is most often associated with children, but some teenagers and adults suffer from it because it was not addressed properly when they were younger. No matter what your age, if you have this condition, you should embrace a combination of treatments that can greatly improve your vision.

 Symptoms

The symptoms of amblyopia include eyes that do not work in concert with each other and the appearance of one eye wandering from side to side. If you have the condition, you may also have poor depth perception. Often, these symptoms are identified and the condition diagnosed when children prepare for their first school experience. If for some reason you were not diagnosed then, you may continue into your teens or adulthood with a problem that should have been addressed. However, you can still have your condition corrected, despite the myth that treatment is limited to the very young. 

Treatments

Many people associate the treatment for this condition with the use of an eye patch, but it is much more complicated than that. Your brain has decided to favor one eye over the other. An eye patch is used on the "normal" eye to force the affected eye to function better. Currently, some physicians have limited the time the patch must be worn to two hours a day instead of the six hours that used to be recommended. Treatment also often includes atropine drops. Both of these methods are effective but do not address all of the vision issues.

Vision therapy has been found to be quite effective when it comes to lazy eye and other visual conditions. The goal of the treatment is to train your eyes to improve your "visual skills" and even help your brain to process information correctly. Vision therapy is usually done in the doctor's office and uses a variety of tools, including various lenses, optical filters, computer software, and other equipment. Experts warn that online programs do not offer the same benefits and should not be mistaken for professional vision therapy.

Lazy eye is a frustrating but eminently treatable condition that is usually diagnosed in childhood. If you somehow missed out on either the diagnosis, the treatment, or both, you can still seek help. You should never have to live with the limitations that amblyopia imposes. Do inquire about the benefit of vision training as part of your treatment. You will have a better chance of success if you incorporate a combination of methods. Visit http://www.absolutevisioncare.com for more information.