Goodbye to Lazy Eye: Pediatric Vision Scanner | Medical News and Health Information

Reported October 5, 2011
Goodbye to Lazy Eye: Pediatric Vision Scanner -- Research

Summary

BACKGROUND:  Amblyopia, also known as "lazy eye," is the most common cause of vision problems in children. The condition leads to losing the ability to see details because the nerve pathway from one eye that connects to the brain does not develop. This loss of ability to see details results in future vision problems. The vision problems occur because, during childhood, the abnormal eye sends a blurred image or the wrong image to the brain, and it confuses the brain. Eventually, the brain adjusts to ignoring the image from the weaker eye. (SOURCE: National Center for Biotechnology Information)

CAUSES:  Amblyopia is most commonly caused by strabismus, also known as "cross eyes." However, amblyopia can occur without the influence of strabismus. A family history of the condition also plays a role as one of the causes of amblyopia. Other causes include childhood cataracts, farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism. (SOURCE: National Center for Biotechnology Information)

SYMPTOMS: Amblyopia is diagnosed with an examination of the eyes. One of the signs to look for is eyes that turn in or out and do not appear to work together. Also, depth perception is hindered. However, it is also possible that one eye could be weaker than the other without any obvious signs. (SOURCE: National Center for Biotechnology Information)

PEDIATRIC VISION SCANNER:  It is suggested to treat amblyopia early in children, before age 5, in order to recover normal vision and prevent future vision problems. Children who are treated after age 10 should only expect a partial recovery. The Pediatric Vision Scanner, which has been developed over the past 20 years by Dr. David Hunter and colleagues, has been tested on 154 patients at the Children's Ophthalmology Clinic and 48 children, ages 2 to 18 years old, with normal vision. The device scans the eyes using a low-power laser to measure the alignment, also known as binocularity. It detects the focus and alignment pathways that are separated by wavelengths and data gathered by timing. The scanner is able to detect amblyopia even with the absence of strabismus.
(SOURCE: National Center for Biotechnology and Children's Hospital Boston) MORE>>

Goodbye to Lazy Eye: Pediatric Vision Scanner -- Research Summary | Medical News and Health Information

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Goodbye to Lazy Eye: Pediatric Vision Scanner -- In Depth Doctor's Interview | Medical News and Health Information

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Goodbye to Lazy Eye: Pediatric Vision Scanner Medical News and Health Information