Treatment for "Lazy Eye"

QUESTION: We were a bit shocked to learn that our child's vision in one eye
was not up to standard. However, instead of glasses, the physician is
suggesting putting a patch on the good eye, leaving our son to navigate with
only the vision from his bad eye. That doesn't make much sense to us. Can
you explain what would be accomplished by this treatment.
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ANSWER: The common name for your child's problem is "lazy eye" which is
certainly easier to say than "amblyopia" which is the medical term given to
this situation, in which the vision in one eye is poor. It may affect as many
as 1 person in 400, and if not corrected during childhood, can become
permanent. As with so many other functions of our marvelously constructed
body, we must learn to use its capabilities in order to obtain the most from
it. Proper vision is gradually attained as the baby learns to fix on objects,
and focus properly using both eyes to achieve three dimensional vision. A
number of conditions, including near sightedness, crossed eyes, or
astigmatism, can prevent both eyes from working together. In many such cases
the weaker eye gives up and becomes "lazy". Since it no longer functions it
becomes weaker and weaker, turning into an amblyopic or "eye with dull
vision". Your physician's strategy is a well accepted one. By placing a
patch over the good eye, he will force the amblyopic eye into working harder,
gaining strength and acuity. When both eyes are about equal, either with or
without corrective lenses, the patch may be removed. It is well that you
understand the importance of the maneuver, since keeping the patch in place on
an active youngster is a quite a task, and will require a lot from you.
However, by following the directions of your eye doctor to the letter, your
youngster may soon see all the "letters" using both eyes, as normal vision is
acquired and maintained.