Bynocs

Why is Vision Therapy for Lazy Eye better than Patching?

Amblyopia is also commonly referred to as lazy eyes. Typically, lazy eye occurs when the brain receives different quality of images from both eyes  due to presence of unequal spectacle prescription or crossed eyes . As a result, it affects your ability to see clearly with both eyes simultaneously. 

For a long time, patching of the good eye was the default treatment for ‘lazy eye’ worldwide. However, thanks to technological advancements, a new treatment has emerged – vision therapy. Vision therapy for lazy eyes has garnered significant acceptance in recent years, and for good reasons. The plethora of exercises that are performed during a vision therapy treatment teaches new visual skills to patients in an exciting way. 

There are many reasons why vision therapy has become the gold standard for lazy eye treatment. In this blog, we will look at why vision therapy is preferred over traditionally-used patching treatment. 

 

Vision therapy vs. eye-patching

In the past, amblyopia was treated by patching only. Technically, there are many  flaws with patching. It strengthens the weaker eye by blocking vision from the other. Even today, many eye care practitioners  continue to rely on patching as they believe that the brain and the eye will tune in to perfect binocular vision naturally. 

Despite these claims, it is important to understand that training the eyes and the brain is not that simple. It takes months to years for the vision of the lazy eye to improve and amblyopia can recur after stopping eye patch therapy.

When you patch the lazy eye, the brain tries to find alternative ways to compensate for the compromised vision. This is not the case with vision therapy for lazy eyes. A vision therapy treatment is designed to retrain the brain and the eyes to work in sync. 

Let’s understand this with a simple example. When you learn to walk, you do not start by walking on one leg. You will use both legs to walk with some degree of external support from your parents or guardians. Similarly, you would need the right guidance and exercises to ensure your vision is rectified. 

You would need the expertise and the guidance of our experienced and trained optometrists here at Bynocs. 

Another downside of eye patching is that children may not agree to wear it since it draws attention. Children who are treated with vision therapy show higher confidence levels than kids who opted for the conventional patching treatment.

 

Why is vision therapy better?

Vision therapy fosters the development of optimal binocular vision and eye coordination as the brain inhibits the images from the weaker eye.

Vision therapy develops eye depth perception and minimises suppression to improve the visual abilities of the patient. 

Exercises that are personally prescribed are used in vision therapy to enable greater processing and abilities. Exercises to be performed daily at home are frequently incorporated into the course of vision treatment sessions. The program’s duration might range from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the severity, the patient’s compliance, and the patient’s eye health.

Which other eye conditions can benefit from vision therapy?

Apart from lazy eye, vision therapy has offered excellent results for these eye-related problems:

  • Double vision
  • Eye fatigue
  • Convergence insufficiency
  • Difficulty while focussing
  • Strabismus (crossed-eyes)
  • Visual perception
  • Hand-eye coordination issues
  • Depth perception
  • Eye teaming and tracking
 

Vision therapy for lazy eyes: Results

As mentioned earlier, the result and duration of vision therapy for lazy eyes differs from patient to patient. On average, visual skills start improving in less than 6 weeks of vision therapy! 

Our team of experts at Bynocs will monitor your improvement throughout the treatment to determine how many visits are required to attain the best results. 

If you are suffering from lazy eyes and think you can benefit from vision therapy, schedule an appointment to know more about our AmblyGo program. Our team of highly skilled optometrists will evaluate your condition and offer you the most suitable AmblyGo treatment plan, which you can continue from the comfort of your home! Rest assured, with Bynocs lazy eye treatment, you will be in good hands.