Treating Amblyopia Can Improve a Child’s Self-Esteem

A new study has been released that indicates that Amblyopia can cause a child to suffer from low self-esteem.  The findings of the study, which was published in the November 15thJAMA Ophthalmology, highlight the fact that children with Amblyopia had a lower self-perception of their social abilities, as well as their academic and athletic performance.  Treating this eye condition can have a positive impact on a child’s vision as well as their quality of life.

What Is Amblyopia

Also referred to as “Lazy Eye”, Amblyopia is a common eye condition in children that occurs when the eyes and the brain do not work together properly, and results in poor vision in one eye, even with the use of proper glasses or contact lenses.  Although a child may not even mention their symptoms to a parent, this study shows that it can have far deeper effects on a child’s life than just impaired vision.

Typical Symptoms

Indications of Amblyopia can include the more-obvious physical symptom of a “lazy eye” with one eye wandering in a different direction, as well as less-obvious signs such as squinting, poor depth perception or double vision.  These symptoms can lead to poor performance in school due to slower reading or writing skills, and can inhibit motor skills, causing a child to have difficulty engaging effectively in sports activities.  According to the study, all of this can result in a child experiencing a lower sense of self-esteem, as they compare themselves to their higher-performing peers.

Treatment With Vision Therapy

Vision therapy is an extremely effective form of treatment for Amblyopia and can be described as physical therapy for the visual system, which includes the brain and eyes.  Using a series of eye exercises, it is possible to restore normal communication between the eyes and the brain, thus correcting the eye condition.  When it comes to successfully treating Amblyopia, it is best to try to start as young as possible, although good results are possible at any age.  Early detection is accomplished through comprehensive eye exams, which should begin as young as 6 months old.

Family Vision Development Center provides comprehensive eye care for the whole family.  We believe that regular eye exams, starting at an early age, can prevent many eye diseases or can allow us to diagnose and treat them before they get worse.  Call us at 630-862-2020 to learn more and to schedule an appointment.

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