Lazy Eye

Young boy with patch on glasses

Lazy eye, also referred to as amblyopia, is a condition that develops in infancy or early childhood, and it typically starts when the focus in one eye is more enhanced than the other. The eye with less focus might be impaired due to a significant amount of farsightedness or astigmatism, or something could be obstructing light from getting through like a cataract or debris in the back of the eye. Amblyopia may also develop due to an ocular misalignment known as strabismus, in which one eye turns inward or outward, keeping the eyes from focusing together on an object. This can cause double vision.

How Lazy Eye Effects Your Vision

In all of these cases, the brain receives two different images—be it one blurry and one sharp visual of the same object, or two completely different visuals. In order to compensate, the brain, over time, learns to ignore the image it receives from the impaired or deviated eye, causing vision in that eye to weaken to the point of permanent visual deficiency.

A complete eye exam is recommended for all children between the ages 3 and 5. However, if your child is younger and you have a family history of amblyopia, or notice that his or her eye wanders inward or outward, or if the eyes do not appear to work in unison, it is important that you seek out an ophthalmologist or optometrist sooner.

A lazy eye can be corrected and vision can be gained with eye patches, eye drops, prisms, contact lenses, glasses, surgery, or vision therapy if a diagnosis is made early and treatment is administered. Amblyopia is more challenging to treat after the child has passed the age of 7 or 9.

To determine whether your child has lazy eye, a complete eye exam will be needed. The child’s optometrist will look for a wandering eye and assess the vision of both eyes, looking specifically for poor vision in one or both. Tests may include:

  • Looking for cataracts or debris behind the eye(s) using a lighted magnifying device
  • Photo screening
  • Remote autorefraction
  • Putting a patch over each eye and having the child look at picture or letters
  • Examining the eyes’ ability to gaze, fixate on and follow a moving object

Treatment for Lazy Eye

Regarding treatment, the first step may be to rectify any underlying problems in the “bad” eye before applying a patch over the normal functioning eye. While the child will have difficulty seeing with only the weaker eye at first, vision will eventually improve as the brain is forced to use it. This can take weeks or months.

If the child’s amblyopia is mild, the optometrist might solely recommend using atropine in the functioning eye, rather than wearing a patch. The eye drop helps dilate the pupil and blurs the vision in the normal working eye, which causes the malfunctioning eye to do most of the heavy lifting, figuratively speaking.

Many children with a lazy eye will also need glasses or contact lenses to assist with focusing. Should the child have a cataract or debris behind the eye that is blocking light from getting in, surgery may be needed to remove the blockage. Surgery or visual therapy may also be needed if strabismus is present and severe. Operating on the muscles of the eye, or performing certain eye exercises, will allow the eyes to move together.

Location

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Hours of Operation

Please be advised that although all offices are open on Monday's, we do have limited staff in all 3 locations.

Beaverton Location

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:30 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Hillsboro Location (Imbrie Dr)

Monday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-4:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Hillsboro Location (First Ave)

Monday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Reviews From Our Satisfied Patients

  • "I have been a patient of Sunset Vision Center the last couple of years, and I have always had a great experience here. The staff is extremely nice and always try to do the best for you by considering your budget and insurance requirements. At the Imbrie Drive location, Vanessa (who is awesome) explained what I can look for when choosing various frames and the differences between frames. Leo is also amazing and helped me decide the best frame keeping in mind the insurance coverage. The doctors always do a great job, and my prescription has fixed any specific vision issues I had."
    Arun V.
  • "I highly recommend sunset vision center! My appointment scheduling was smooth and the knowledge of the staff was exceptional! I had a lot of questions concerning eyeglasses and sunglasses and I was very impressed with the compassion they had for me while I was trying to make a decision!

    VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING STAFF!!

    THANK YOU SUNSET VISION CENTER!!"
    Kelley H.
  • "Went here to renew my prescription and the amazing staff made it quick and easy. I would recommend Sunset Vision Center to anyone, they are really nice and are more than happy to work with your insurance!"
    Trevor W.