severe astigmatism of 4 years old boy

[yangsdaddy]

My son is nearly 4 years old. He was examed to be severe astigmatism in both eyes last week. One is 4.75 and the other is 4.25. Naked sight of both eyes are the same 0.2 . Corrected sight of both eyes are also the same 0.4 (after Atropine). My questions are:
1. Do you called this Amblyopia?  I found most amblyopia refers to a single weak eye that need patch treatment.
2. Is wearing glasses immediately the only correct treatment for my son?
3. Can his corrected sights reach 1.0 after some years of correct treatment? And what about the naked sight?
4. Is there any chance that the level of astigmatism improves as he grows up?

Thanks
Jonathan

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

1).  Yes, you can have bilateral amblyopia--both eyes can not focus-in your son's case the astigmatism.

2). Yes in general.  There are some studies doing laser vision correction in children.

3). Yes,  but not very likely.


Dr. O.

[yangsdaddy]

regarding the 3) question, your answer  "not very likely", do you mean the corrected sights or naked sights, or both?

If corrected sights can not improve to 1.0, can laser correction when he is adult works?

Thanks for your answer

Jonathan

[des900]

Don't consider laser correction to child as shape of eye ball is not permanent & it may get altered when he get older also laser correction can cause complications.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

3) should have been 4).

3)  The treatment is effective up to about 5 or 6 years old. .2 is very poor-legal blindness.  At .4 corrected he might get close to 1.0.   It will depend on how well he wears the glasses.  The follow up after glasses should give the doctor and you a better idea of the prognosis.

Dr. O.

[yangsdaddy]

Thanks Dr.Oyakawa,

What kind of training is helpful to improve his sight?

And what should I pay attention to in his daily life, for example nutrition, or avoiding watching TV too much?

Jonathan