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Don't Wait Until It's Too Late: Understanding Strabismus and Amblyopia |
SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmologyvia PR NEWSWIRE ForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticlesUndetected Vision Disorders Are Blinding Children; Earlier Testing Needed To Preserve Good EyesightProtective Eyewear for Young Athletes Check Your Child's Vision Every Two Years Information and news releases furnished by the members of PR Newswire, who are responsible for their fact and content. |
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 6,1996 -- Two to four percent of America's children develop strabismus and/or amblyopia. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says early detection and treatment of these disorders during childhood are essential for preventing permanent vision loss. What Are Strabismus and Amblyopia? Strabismus is misalignment of the eyes. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other turns inward, outward, upward or downward. Although the problem appears to be improperly coordinated eye muscles, it is sometimes accompanied by vision loss. Amblyopia is reduced vision in one or both eyes as a consequence of failure to develop normal sight in early childhood. Amblyopia can result from a number of underlying abnormalities, including strabismus and focusing abnormalities. Detection of Amblyopia and Strabismus Vision screening can successfully detect reduced vision in one or both eyes resulting from amblyopia, strabismus, or focusing abnormalities. Pediatricians and other primary care physicians usually perform initial screening of babies and young children. Often, schools are responsible for detecting decreased vision in older children. Children with a family history of strabismus or amblyopia are at higher risk for development of these conditions and should see an ophthalmologist by the age of one. According to Dr. Susan Day, a San Francisco-based pediatric ophthalmologist and Academy spokesperson, the type of treatment that a child receives is dependent upon the underlying causes of amblyopia or strabismus. Prescription glasses often correct both misalignment of the eyes and visual disorders. Treatment Options Eye patching, also known as occlusion therapy, is another common treatment for amblyopia and strabismus. Patching a child's stronger eye forces him or her to use the weaker eye. Eye muscle surgery is another treatment option for some causes of strabismus. During the surgery, an ophthalmologist strengthens or weakens a patient's eye muscles. For some individuals, treatment with Botox, or botulinum toxin, is an alternative to eye muscle surgery. Botox injections weaken eye muscles pharmacologically, rather than surgically. As a general rule, all forms of treatment for strabismus and amblyopia work best when initiated in young patients. Regardless of their age, children should visit an ophthalmologist promptly if screening efforts indicate possible strabismus or amblyopia. As Dr. Day emphasizes, "No child is too young to receive treatment!" For more information about amblyopia and strabismus, send a self- addressed, stamped envelope to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, P.O. Box 7424, San Francisco, CA 94120-7424. CONTACT: Melissa Hurley, Katy Katzenberger or Michelle Stephens, Media Relations Unit of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 415-561- 8500, or e-mail, media@aao.org, or http://www.eyenet.org |
