Renowned Eye Surgeon Dr. Stewart Shofner Shares Information about the Causes of Lazy Eye During Amblyopia Awareness Month
Nashville, TN (PRWEB) August 31, 2015 -- Dr. Stewart Shofner of Shofner Vision Center explains what causes lazy eye and how it may be prevented during Amblyopia Awareness Month. Only a comprehensive eye examination can diagnose amblyopia. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), amblyopia is the most common cause of visual impairment among children, affecting approximately 2 to 3 out of every 100 children.
Dr. Shofner adds, “unless amblyopia is successfully treated early, it can linger into adulthood.” It is also the most common cause of monocular (one eye) visual impairment among young and middle-aged adults, which is more reason why this monthly awareness is so important.
What is Amblyopia?
Commonly referred to as lazy eye, amblyopia is the loss or lack of development of vision in an eye that is unrelated to any eye health problem. The brain, for some reason, does not acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. Reduced vision due to amblyopia is not correctable with lenses alone.
Since amblyopia occurs only in one eye, the good eye takes over and the individual is generally unaware of the condition. That is why it is important to have your child's vision examined at about six months, at age three and again before he or she enters school.
The NEI claims and Dr. Shofner agrees that early detection and treatment of amblyopia and significantly unequal refractive errors can help to reduce the chances of one eye becoming amblyopic. Corrective lenses, prisms and/or contact lenses are often used to treat amblyopia.
While some with amblyopia can still see with limited visibility, it can affect their occupational and leisure activities such as reading, sports, driving or activities requiring good depth perception.
Treatments vary, but typically an eye care provider will cover the eye partial or full-time to stimulate vision in the amblyopic eye. Additionally, a vision therapy program may be prescribed to help improve vision function. For questions about Amblyopia contact your local vision center that focuses on pediatric or early eye disease diagnosis. The American Optometric Association (AOA) website is also a good resource for additional information about amblyopia.
About Shofner Vision Center
Shofner Vision Center specializes in offering “No Fear – No Pressure” LASIK/PRK procedures including Z-LASIK, Custom 3D LASIK, Cataract vision correction surgery, and complete eye exams. Our reputation for excellence makes us one of the most affordable eye care practices in the Nashville area.
Harvard Graduate, Dr. Stewart Shofner has been practicing in Nashville since 1990 and has performed more than 10,000 cataract and ocular surgeries and over 30,000 LASIK/PRK surgeries on Middle Tennessee eyes. Dr. Shofner is Board Certified and one of the country's premier eye surgeons offers treatment to reduce eye damage and improve vision. Contact Shofner Vision Center for a comprehensive eye exam at (615) 340-4733.
Dr. Stewart Shofner, Shofner Vision Center, http://www.shofnervisioncenter.com, +1 (615) 340-4733, [email protected]
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