Strabismus (Crossed Eyes) and Amblyopia (Lazy Eyes)

Approximately 2% of American children have amblyopia and 3-5% have strabismus.

Amblyopia and strabismus are at times connected, but they are not the same condition.

Amplify Eyecare of Greater Long Beach

What is strabismus?

Strabismus is the medical term for crossed eyes which occurs when the eyes are not aligned. One or both of the eyes could be turned inwards, outwards, upwards or downwards and both eyes are not focused on the same target. It is common for this to occur when a person is very farsighted or has poor eye muscle control. The wandering eye may be a constant phenomenon or it manifests when the person is tired, ill or has done a lot of viewing up close such as reading. If left untreated, strabismus could get worse.

Risk Factors:

  • Family history
  • Refractive error - if someone is very farsighted and has not received the proper prescription for an optical correction, such as glasses
  • Various health conditions such as down syndrome, cerebral palsy or after a stroke or head injury

What are some signs of strabismus?

  • Wandering eyes
  • Eyes do not move in sync
  • Tilted head
  • Poor depth perception
  • Frequent blinking or squinting
  • Double vision

It is important to keep in mind that while strabismus may be noticeable in large angle strabismus, it could also easily be missed if it's intermittent, alternating or a small angle strabismus.

 

How is strabismus treated?

There are different treatment options, depending on the cause and diagnosis. Sometimes one or more methods are used for the same patient: 

  • Glasses or contact lenses - at times this is the only necessary treatment
  • Prisms - special types of lenses which bend the light in a unique way
  • Vision therapy - various exercises can be used to train the eyes to focus and coordinate properly with each other and with the brain

Often these methods of treatment will suffice, but there are cases where eye muscle surgery will be recommended. It is advisable to first try the non-invasive treatment techniques above before deciding if to operate.

What is amblyopia?

What is amblyopia?

Lazy eye, known medically as amblyopia, is the main cause of loss of vision in children in one eye. Amblyopia is a condition that occurs when the eyes are not working together properly as a team along with the brain. Each eye receives its own image which is not coordinated with the other. So in order to cope, the brain shuts off communication with one eye, nicknamed the ‘lazy eye’ by suppressing it. Clear vision is achieved by the other, stronger eye as the lazy eye cannot achieve 20/20 vision, even with an optical correction. 

Risk Factors

Some children are more prone to developing a lazy eye. The risk factors include:

  • Family history
  • Premature birth or an infant who is born with a low weight
  • Developmental delay
What is amblyopia?

How is amblyopia treated?

Scientific studies have proven that eye patching alone is no longer the recommended method of treating a lazy eye.

The following methods of treatment are generally offered, sometimes just one method will suffice, while other cases require a combination of various treatment methods:

  • Glasses or contact lenses - sometimes this is the only method required
  • Vision therapy - various exercises are used to train the eyes to work properly together and to communicate with the brain; studies show that treating with vision therapy could reduce the need for patching the stronger eye
  • Closing one eye - it’s now been proven that patching the stronger eye for a shorter amount of time while the patient is performing cognitive activities using the lazy eye yields similar results than if the eye is occluded for long periods of time
Dr. Ikeda cartoon

Summary

Amblyopia and strabismus are at times connected, but they are not the same condition. Patients with functional vision issues such as amblyopia visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of functional vision services for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles. To schedule a functional vision exam, please call (562) 925-6591.

Testimonials


I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered.  This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.


Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.


Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy.  She (Chris) is absolutely great.  I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision.  I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc).  Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her.  The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!


Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.


Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.


Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional.  Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage.  Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp.  I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all.  I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.


Daniel G.
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