Posts Tagged ‘Home treatments’

Treatment options available for Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)

Early treatment of lazy eye or amblyopia before the age of two is considered to offer the best outcomes. Treatment of amblyopia after the age of 17 is not dependent upon age but requires more effort including vision therapy.
Most of the treatments described below are meant to treat the amblyopia itself. Once the weaker eye’s visual data is accurate, rehabilitation of the relationship between the brain and the eye can begin.
- Patches : It means covering one eye for a period of few weeks to as long as a year. The better-seeing eye is patched, forcing the “lazy” one to work, thereby strengthening its vision. Most often, patients are required to wear the patch for six hours a day. Some of the drawbacks of patching are the child cannot see well and is often frustrated and uncooperative if the good eye is covered. Often the patch has to be taped over the child’s eye to prevent him from removing it.
- Atropine eye drops : It blurs the vision of strong eye. Atropine dilates the pupil, resulting in blurring when looking at things close up – this makes the lazy eye work more. It can have rare side effects such as irritation in the eye, reddening of the skin and headaches.
- Vision therapy : The vision therapy is a combination of patching or eye drops, eye exercises, computer software to augment the exercises, and prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Vision therapy is basically physical therapy for the eye. It is thus a form of neurological training and rehabilitation.
- Lazy Eye Surgery : It is most successful in cases where the child’s amblyopia is caused by constant unilateral strabismus in a single eye. The surgery is performed to turn the eye in the proper direction, both for vision and cosmetic purposes.

In conclusion, improvements are possible at any age, but early detection and treatment offer the best outcome.

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Prognosis,Complications of Blepharitis and what can be done to treat it.

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. Signs and symptoms of blepharitis include red, irritated, itchy eyelids, and the formation of dandruff-like scales on the eyelashes.

Ignorance and no treatment can cause some complications in case of blepharitis :
- Sty: A bacterial infection in one of the oil glands. The opening of the gland is clogged. You can feel a painful lump on the edge or inside of your eyelid.
- Chalazion: It occurs when a blockage in one of the oil glands causes that gland to become enlarged and scarred.
- Chronic pink eye: Blepharitis can lead to recurrent bouts of pink eye (conjunctivitis).
- Ulceration of the cornea: Ulcer can be caused to develop on your cornea due to constant irritation from inflamed eyelids or misdirected eyelashes.

Good hygiene and regular cleaning of the area can control signs and symptoms of blepharitis and prevent complications. It can be done through :
- Warm Compress : Soak a clean, soft cloth with warm water and place the cloth over the closed eye. The frequency of this treatment should be confirmed by the doctor. The warmth in it can open up a blocked residue.
- Eyelid cleaning : Soak a clean cloth into the cleansing solution (recommended by the doctor) and wipe the cloth over the eyelashes and margin of the lids and then gently wash the eye with cold water.
Change the cloth, and repeat the process for the other eye.
- Antibiotic ointment : Using a clean fingertip or cotton swab, gently apply a small amount at the base of the eyelashes before bedtime. Artificial tears or steroid eye drops may also be prescribed temporarily to relieve dry eye or inflammation.
- Eye make up should be avoided or immediately removed.
- If the eyes are dry, lubricating eyedrops or artificial tears may help.