Getting the right fit

I have amblyopia caused by strabismus and have been wearing glasses since I was two. Right eye is weak, left eye dominant. To make a long story short, whenever I need a new prescription, the lenses need to be redone multiple times. I am currently working with an optometrist who is trying to get the right eye up to 20/30 (20/40 is the best patching could get it to as a child) but after seven weeks I still experience headaches, eye muscle aches, and eye strain resulting in watering of the eye. Can I use a stronger prescription than patching effected as a child?

While growing up I saw an ophthalmologist, but since I have moved frequently during adulthood I have seen and optometrists for the past twenty years. As I get older, should I work with an ophthalmologist or an optometrist for my eye care needs?

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

Yes you definitely need to see an Eye MD ophthalmologist-physician. Many strabismus patients have this problem and its almost always due to the amblyopic eye needing such a stronger RX than the dominant eye that the lens are unbalanced and also the image sizes different (aneisometrophia).

Patching at your age is not likely to help and is a waste of time and money.

Consider seeing a Eye MD that does cornea and refractive surgery. You might be a candidate for LASIK or other refractive procedure on the amblyopic eye. Also becasue you have had so much trouble with glasses you might be able to get your health insurance to cover the procedure.

Find an Eye MD at www.aao.org

Also remember that amblyopia and strabismus are both strongly hereditary and any blood relative still having kids (or grandchildren, nieces, nephews) needs to see a Eye MD by age 3 at the latest to check for amblyopia and strabismus. Sooner if the eyes are noted to be abnormal.

JCH III MD