Striking both children and adults, amblyopia (better known as lazy eye) occurs when the brain and one eye are not perfectly coordinated. Although some cases of lazy eye are easy to detect, others are not as noticeable, which is why it’s important to schedule regular visits with your eye doctor. They’ll diagnose the problem and suggest exercises you can perform to correct it.

There are a number of potential causes for the miscommunication between the brain and eye, resulting in this condition. Sometimes, for example, one eye is more nearsighted or farsighted than the other. After an optometrist supplies the patient with glasses or contact lenses to correct the vision issue, the problem with the brain may remain unaddressed.

When this happens, lazy eye can cause substantial vision problems. This is why you should regularly have your vision checked by an eye doctor. They’ll know how to best address the problem.

Sometimes, the solution is as simple as wearing an eye patch for a given period of time. By covering your good eye, you force the lazy eye to work harder. Over time, this strengthens the communication between the eye and the brain.

For the best results, especially when children are involved, an optometrist might also recommend spending some time working on coloring books while wearing your eye patch. The task of staying inside the lines with only one eye to guide your vision can be difficult, but the added effort it requires speeds up the strengthening process.

If you suspect you have a lazy eye, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor, so they can take a closer look. They’ll provide you with any tools and advice you need to fix the problem. Are you looking for the best optometrist in Aiea, HI? Get in touch with Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates. Visit them online to learn more, or call (808) 487-5500.