Lazy eye cure

[Dede1974]

I have a 17 year old son who has "lazy eye" in his left eye. He can see shapes, colors, outlines of objects, and big objects. He has trouble reading small signs and lettering. His dream is to go into the Navy and he recently had the Navy physical and was rejected for his limited vision in his left eye. Is there anyway to correct this problem to the extent that he could see out of his left eye better with glasses? Is it too late to correct this problem because of his age? Will lasik surgery help him?

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

An eye patch will not help at his age. YOU MUST TAKE HIM TO AN EYE MD OPHTHALMOLOGIST.      For many years I did eye exams for the Navy and Marines.  This DOES NOT mean he cannot join the Navy, likely only that he can't be a pilot.  

JCH MD

[Dede1974]

Thank you. It really saddens me because he will never get into the Navy and now he is lost and has no idea what to do with his life. The thing is that his eyesight doesn't have to be normal he only has to be able to see through it with glasses. He didn't show signs of this until he 8 or 9 years old before that he had perfect vision. So his case is not the norm. From what I understand this usually occurs from the ages of 1 to 6. Do you think that the eye patch would help? I really hate to see my sons dream destroyed. He hasn't even begun life and he's already experiencing rejection.

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

The short answer is "no at age 17, reduced vision in on eye due to amblyopia" cannot be corrected to normal. HOWEVER I would suggest you have him see an eye MD for a specific diagnosis and evaluation.  Find one near you at www.geteyesmart.org    Also know that amblyopa affects one in 50 people but once there is amblyopia in the family the chance of others related by blood (cousins, brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren) having the problem is 20%. Everyone need to be check by Eye MD ophthalmologist at age 2 1/2 to 3 years old. If amblyopia is not detected and treated by age 5-8 its is usually untreatable.

JCH MD