Amblyopia + Laser Surgery

[mgg12345]

I am 22 years old, I have astigmatism, myopia and strabismus (around 19 deg) and my latest prescription (1 year old) was

RIGHT EYE   -  2.25 - 3.25 axe 180 degrees
LEFT EYE   - 4.00 - 3.25 axe 180 degrees

As a child (maybe 12 years old if I remember right) I did a vision therapy during which one of my eyes (don't remember which one exactly) was covered with a patch for three weeks. When I went back after the treatment to see my doctor, he was very pleased with the results. I discontinued this treatment shortly after because my ophtalmologist simply retired and I started going to another doctor.

Some months ago, I have noticed that my right eye vision is weak. I kept my glasses on and simply covered my left eye and tried to read with my right eye, I simply couldn't do it easily and colors were a bit dimmer than in the left eye (I can only notice that in full bright sunlight). I think I have amblyopia but I am not sure of it. Can anybody help in this??

I was considering a LASIK surgery for my eyes and I want to know if this helps or hinders in any way (direct or indirect) amblyopia treatment??

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Amblopia is generally stable after age 8-10. Best vision as the eye gets older may require glasses. It is not made worse by diet, computer use or sunlight exposure.

Sure some people with minimal amblyopia may have 20/20 vision in the amblyopic eye and 20/15 in the other with severe amblyopia but these vision may be count fingers or hand movements.

You should not patch your eye unless you have had a complete exam by an Eye MD ophthalmologist and the Eye MD has recommended it. At your age I would not expect any benefit at all.

JCH III MD

[mgg12345]

Thank you very much for answering my question.

I want to add those three questions:

Is amblyopia a stable disease or does it worsen with age? computer use? improper nutrition? sunlight exposure etc

Does amblyopia come in degrees of magnitude? advanced/light amblyopia etc

I am curently considering pathching my left eye for 6 hours every day after work so as to try to improve my right eye vision. I know that the results may not be as good as I want them to be but still I want to go through the test. I need to know if this may hurt any of my eyes before I go through the trial. Can you please help me in this?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Indeed you seem to have amblyopia.  Lasik has helped treat that in SOME adults. See an Eye MD physician ophthalmologist that does refractive surgery.

Also know that your children, grandchildren and nieces/nephews have a 20% chance of having amblyopia.

They should all see an Eye MD (ideally a pediatric Eye MD) about age 2 and a half to three years of age.

Amblyopia is very difficult to treat after age 5.

JCH III MD