Vision therapy for lazy eye? 8 year old son has amblyopia and esotropia

[Tinkmom75]

I just also want to tell everyone my DS's surgery was also outpatient and he was fine the next day with no pain. He thought it was cool cause his eyes were all bloodshot from the surgery. He couldn't wait to get to school and scare his friends I also understand being nervous. What parent wouldn't be. I guess this is a pretty common surgery.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

For those worried about the surgery, don't be! I've had it a few times and it really is no big deal. The pain is minimal and it just felt like my eye was a little gritty/sandy for a day and then it was over. After one of them I had some bruising which looked like a black eye but that didn't cause any pain and didn't last very long.

The anxiety leading up to the surgery is worse than anything but fortunately for kids they get "happy juice" before any shots/IV's and once that kicks in they couldn't care less what happens.

I know that when it's our kids there is no such thing as "routine" surgery but this one really is nothing to worry about. It skeeves me out a bit because it's my eyes and that gives it a very high cringe factor, but it's not bad at all.

If your doctor recommends surgery, get a second opinion of course but don't be afraid to seriously consider it. I have to have the surgery every 10 years or so as my eye gets off-center due to the muscles only working on one side and over time the lax muscle gets stretched.

 

[PatMcDuck]

DD is now 18. Her eyes LOOK perfect. But, she has a uncorrected lazy eye. We did some patching, but never stuck with it long enough. My bad. I can only say I was overwhelmed with so many things, 4 kids, one special needs, $$ issues, the whole list. And she fought me, so hard over the patching. I bought so many kinds, brands, even the ones that go over the glasses, cute little patterns on them.

Surgery would have done nothing, because her eye NEVER looked crossed. They told me surgery corrects how it looks (and can be pretty important to get done), but patching is the key. She did wear glasses for years, while in preschool, kindergarden. Wore them all day, all the time. The problem is not in her eye, it is in her BRAIN..... only patching would have forced her brain to use that eye. I did not really understand it at the time.

It effects her depth perception. Now she is driving, and I have major regrets over this. Sigh.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Been there..done that. All of it!!
DS was 16 weeks premature and his biggest issues was his eyes.

First glasses at 6mo and patched from 6mo to about 7 or 8. Total patching for about a year. Several surgeries and lots of Dr.Visits. SO worth it all. He can drive and while there are a few job limits, not too many. It was hard work.

First..Find the BEST Pediatric Doctor you can.
Replace those glasses ASAP. He needs then to function.
Be open to surgery. It was a godsend to us. Our last surgery he was 4.
Ask the dr about contacts. If there is a depth perception issue, contacts can make a huge difference, DS got them at 10 and I so wish we had pressed to get them sooner. Even babies can wear them if they really need them. He may need your help with them for a while.
Contine to patch. Even thought the window narrows at 8, you can still get some results.

Good luck......It can be a hard road but your child deserves the best.

 

[mommy22pumpkins]

Hannathy- I did not ask for judgemental comments about why we did not replace his glasses immediately. It sounds like you have no experience dealing with a child with amblyopia and esotropia- you probably don't even know what they are. so why are you responding. Please don't try to help anymore. Thanks so much.

 

[Hannathy]

Hannathy- I did not ask for judgemental comments about why we did not replace his glasses immediately. It sounds like you have no experience dealing with a child with amblyopia and esotropia- you probably don't even know what they are. so why are you responding. Please don't try to help anymore. Thanks so much.

sorry but when you ask for suggestions on a public board you are going to get them and second if you look over the responses I am not the only one who told you the same thing. And being a teacher and a nurse I think I may have a bit of knowledge of the conditions. As a teacher and a person who wears glasses I do know that when you need them you need them and they should be replaced and that isn't an opinion that is a fact.

Are you going to complain to all the posters who told you the same thing?

 

[mommy22pumpkins]

Thanks for all the responses. The eye turning inward rarely happens anymore. And when it does happen it was only when he is really tired. I first noticed it in a picture that was taken of him.

His eye doctor is actually a fellow at Wills Eye- he is a pediatric opthatmologist and deals with kids who are alot worse off than Owen from what I've seen in his office. I think that may be part of the problem he has downplayed or not made clear to us the seriousness of his vision problems because to him it's not nearly as bad as alot of the cases he sees.

I think we need to try a new doctor and get some REAL answers. We are working from things the doctor has said as he is pushing us out the door. He has never explained ANYTHING as far where Owen’s vision will go, or what can be expected. I think his vision would be alot better today had he taken the time to explain anything about his condition.

I know Wills Eye has the best name but I feel they have really let us down by not giving us the whole picture and giving any information even when we've flat out asked.

I made an appt. with a doctor out of Penn's Eye Institute with a pediatric neuro-opthamologist who was recommended to us by the neurologist we saw about a year or so ago. Hopefully he will treat give some insight into what is going on and what if anything we can do at this point. Thanks again for all of your insights and advice. It helps knowing we are not alone and what we can expect.

 

[carj]

sorry but when you ask for suggestions on a public board you are going to get them and second if you look over the responses I am not the only one who told you the same thing. And being a teacher and a nurse I think I may have a bit of knowledge of the conditions. As a teacher and a person who wears glasses I do know that when you need them you need them and they should be replaced and that isn't an opinion that is a fact.

Are you going to complain to all the posters who told you the same thing?

Several people, including me, have mentioned that the glasses need to be replaced. I would say that the teachers at school are probably trying to say the same thing to the OP. I am not sure why your post was the one that the OP was bothered by. I think from the information that the OP gave, you are exactly right. Maybe there are other issues, but we only have the information that OP gave. I thought that you were trying to be helpful and offering up the perspective of the teacher.


OP, Prevent Blindness has a web forum on amblyopia. Blind babies is also another good site for information. I think that you have received several helpful suggestions. Certainly get another doctor if you don't feel like you are getting information from yours. I would also visit those webistes and do your own research.

I am a teacher for students who are blind or visually impaired and I have met several families who got the impression from their doctors that some of the treatments were a "fix" when in fact, many times, the treatment is an ongoing process of managing the eye condition. I don't know if the doctor created that impression, or if as a society we are accustomed to problems being resolved, rather than managed.

I really do wish you the best and it sounds, from the information that you posted that your son has already had some pretty promising results. Definitely get another opinion and get a program and doctor that you are comfortable with.

 

[PinkRhombus]

I am worried now though as he cannot see well at all without his glasses on. We lost them a couple weeks ago and his gym teacher said he is having trouble seeing the ball etc. And my son tells me he has been tripping alot.

I just want to say that if I lost my glasses/contacts there is NO WAY that I could make it through a day, let alone a few weeks. This is going to hinder his learning in class, too. Please get new ones as quickly as possible.


My daughter has similar issues, but is also farsighted which, if she does not wear her glasses, it will cause her eye to pull. This has improved with patching and over time. If your current doctor did not mention it...you cannot just stop the patching all at once or it will revert back. It has to be eased off.

We use a pediatric opthamoligist (It is very imporant to try for one of these)
and the office visits are covered under medical insurance because of the issues, but it does NOT cover glasses. We usually get the $40 glasses at Walmart.

 

[kimmylaj]

my dd is 3 and has had 2 eye surgeries, 1st time both eyes turned in and up, 2nd time eyes turned out. her eyes look great now, but we still need to work on getting her to use both eyes. instead of patching we are using blurring drops for 1 week and then we are doing alternate patching for 1 month. she does not use both eyes together, but is using both eyes well independently and this is what we want to preserve. our eye dr said that maybe around 6 or 7 she would benefit from vision therapy. our old eye dr was all surgery our new one does believe that the two can work together, but right now she is too young. we use dr brian campolattaro in nyc, he also works out of phillips eye center in nj. pm if you want to chat

 

[polkadotminnie]

[QUOTE
Ask the dr about contacts. If there is a depth perception issue, contacts can make a huge difference, QUOTE]

My DD now 13 was diagnosed with amblyopia, farsightedness with a severe astigmistism. She had depth perception issues. She started in glasses at 5 when she was 25/100. The Dr. did not think she would ever be better than 60 in the weak eye even with patching. We patched every day. We got her to 25/40 then switched to contacts at age 7. She learned to do it since I did not wear them at the time. We have to special order the left contact from NY and she gets only 4 per year (3 month disposable that she takes out at night). In contacts, she is 20/25 and I could not be happier with the results!

 

[BellyBaby]

We were in the exact same boat, I had no idea about "the window of opportunity". My son's eye Dr. told us he had no hope of improving because he was already 9 years old. We went to his pediatrician, told him I wanted him to see a specialist, and we waited a YEAR to see the ONLY children's specialist in Manitoba (free medical care has its good and bad points - free specialist, but 1 year waiting list!). So now, he's 10 at this point, and we started patching with glasses (after school and on weekends - thank goodness). To everyone's surprise (the specialist said there's no concrete evidence about this so called "window") he improved GREATLY. Then we stopped patching when he was about 12 or 13. Then it got worse...so we patched again. The trick was to keep patching until he was stabilized. He's 15 now, his vision has improved so much (not perfect, but no glasses, and he'll be able to get his driver's license). I think we stopped patching just before he turned 14. And the first eye Dr. said 9 was too late! I hate to think of how many parents just accept that (he is a Dr. after all) and not pursue it further.

So don't think it's too late for your son, keep patching! Apparently it tends to run in families, so we put in a request pronto for our DD to see him as well.

My DS also went through a long period of tripping and bumping into things like crazy. I think it's just a phase of boys growing up! They seem to be in such a hurry to get where they're going, they don't look 2 feet in front of them!

Hope all goes well.

 

[taximomfor4]

[QUOTE
Ask the dr about contacts. If there is a depth perception issue, contacts can make a huge difference, QUOTE]

My DD now 13 was diagnosed with amblyopia, farsightedness with a severe astigmistism. We have to special order the left contact from NY and she gets only 4 per year (3 month disposable that she takes out at night). In contacts, she is 20/25 and I could not be happier with the results!

Not the OP, but what kind of contacts did you find for your dd? Mine has severe astigmatism as well. There was ONE manufacturer who made contacts for her severity (merely bad at the time, lol), but then her astigmatism got worse and now there are none, that we can find. If you found some for SEVERE astigmatism, please share! It's hard for dd, having to wear only glasses. Especially since she spends lots of time on a stage.

 

[taximomfor4]

we waited a YEAR to see the ONLY children's specialist in Manitoba (free medical care has its good and bad points - free specialist, but 1 year waiting list!).

We are is the US, and have several excellent specialists nearby. We waited nearly a year as well. So I don't think the wait for specialists is unusual, for ANY type of healthcare system.

How great that your ds responded so well to treatment, btw!

 

[Momejules]

My daughter is 5 years old and has amblyopia and strabismus. She wears bifocals and was wearing an eye patch until recently. We live in NJ also. My daughter sees Dr. Judith Lavrich. She has a reputation for being the best pediatric opthamologist in our area. I think the closest office to you would be in Lawrenceville. She also has offices in PA. The name of the office is Total Eye Care Center. I hope this helps!

I have to give another vote for Dr Lavrich. I have been seeing her for the last 15 years and she has done wonders for my "lazy eye" issues. I have had 2 surgeries with her and am due for another one in the coming months. I went from surgery every 2 years before I started seeing her, to about every 8 years now. I have musular issues with my eyes that cause the lazy eye and due to my lack of stereovision, visual training was never an option for me, but she is the best. Her office in Levittown Pa is located on Woodbourne Road, and I believe she also has an office in Newtown, but I am not sure where. Good luck to you!

 

[TreslovesWDW]

I did not read all the posts. I went through this with my son. We went with glasses at 3 and 4. Then I changed doctors. Changed perscriptions, then the patch then surgery at age 5. Buy this time she did both eyes cause the other one started to turn in very slightly. It really was the best thing. He started to notice his eye at 3 and said to me mom my eye is broke and that broke my heart. Then kids were teasing him about it. He still wears his glasses,but his eyes are straight. Quick story my best friend nerver got her eye fixed and it wanders,not that I notice to much but she was always teased and still is,even married and 3 kids later. Her husband had the same problem with both eys but had them fixed at an early age. She now has glasses but her doctor said it is just to late to do surgery. I just dont think that the glasses or patch alone is going to fix the eye totally.

 

[seashoreCM]

Is there a problem using the turned-in eye at all, or is the problem just the inability to use both eyes together?

Patching (the stronger eye) should keep the lazy eye exercised enough so as not to go bad, while you are making up your mind and/or saving up your money to go ahead with surgery later.

So Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is dressing up boys in pirate costumes? Just the right thing to go along with an eye patch.

 

[mjkacmom]

Is there a problem using the turned-in eye at all, or is the problem just the inability to use both eyes together?

Patching (the stronger eye) should keep the lazy eye exercised enough so as not to go bad, while you are making up your mind and/or saving up your money to go ahead with surgery later.

So Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is dressing up boys in pirate costumes? Just the right thing to go along with an eye patch.

In my dd's case, the doctor said that if we didn't fix it by a certain time, the eye would eventually go blind, because the brain would turn off signals. Even though we patched, it didn't help much at all, which is why we went for the surgery.

 

[J. Galt]

This thread is interesting to me... my DD has nystagmus, strabismus some macular scarring, no depth perception and optic nerve coloboma. Our pediatric opthalmologist has always been very, very opposed to vision therapy and I'm wondering if everyone here is talking about the same type of vision therapy. My daughter did patching and received lots of traditonal therapy (OT/PT) and the results have been fantastic. We went from a infant who looked right through us, delayed walking, falling out of chairs, etc..... to a very happy, active and academically sound first grader. She still has pretty bad balance issues... gym can be difficult... but is doing great, none the less. We received this therapy from our state's early intervention program, through the school district (all free) and some through our children's hospital which was partially covered by insurance. We did investigate the local "Vision Therapy Center" despite our opthalmologist's objections. It is VERY expensive (several thousand and not covered by insurance) and doesn't seem to offer much more than our free/private pay OT/PT were able to offer. My opthalmologist has said that she has seen plenty of patients come from these centers after spending thousands of dollars and they were no farther ahead, and sometimes worse off than if they had just patched and done the traditional OT/PT route. She basically compared them to snake oil salesmen. I thought maybe she was just being territorial, but we also took my daughter to see a specialist regarding colobomas at the National Eye Institute at the National Institute of Health and he pretty much said the same thing about vision therapy. He said that the only evidence that it works is anecdotal, at best, and there have been no clinical studies to prove that it works any better than traditional OT/PT (and its usually not covered by insurance, unlike traditional OT/PT).

Interestingly, we have seen several different opthalmologists over the years and very few of them have been any good at translating our child's vision issues into how her body is reacting to her visual challenges. Only the guy at NIH was able to discuss the connection of how her visual issues might be causing/affecting her balance/coordination/gross and fine motor issues. You may get more insight in talking to a good physical therapist who has worked with kids with visual challenges than with your opthalmologist on this issue. They are great at treating the eyes, but its not a "whole body" specialty... they can be lousy on the rest of the body.

Can you hook up with your school district for help? It would be worth investigating before paying for vision therapy. Our state's definitions can make it difficult to qualify unless you are basically blind, but some states will allow you to access the school services simply due to lack of depth perception.

I would also suggest some extra-curricular activites that can help with balance... like tae kwon do, yoga and dance... these have worked great for our daughter.

I am also wondering if you have already ruled out an imbalance in your child's vestibular system (inner ear). This could be working in conjunction with the vision to cause the balance issues.

I should also say that my DD had two surgeries to correct her crossing and I echo other posters that it was no big deal. The worst part was when she was coming out of the anesthetic.... she was all woozy and crying. Otherwise, she was pretty much back to normal by the next day. My opthalmologist gave us a book called "Blueberry Eyes" that was an excellent story to read (both for us and our daughter) before the surgery. It pretty much tells you what to expect (as told from the perspective of an adorable little girl with big blue eyes who has the surgery... although, I suppose and 8 year old boy isn't going to find her "adorable"). It would be worth looking for.

 

[Harlie]

Hello. I know this is way OT but I have found such good advice from the wonderful people on this board I figured it's worth a shot. My son is 8 years old and has a lazy eye. He was treated with patching on and off from age 3 till now. We did not realize there was a window of time where patching would be effective as his doctor did not explain anything to us and we are currently looking for a new doctor.

He has 20/40 vision in the *lazy* eye. I believe that is with his glasses on. He started off with 20/80 so the patching did help somewhat. I am worried now though as he cannot see well at all without his glasses on. We lost them a couple weeks ago and his gym teacher said he is having trouble seeing the ball etc. And my son tells me he has been tripping alot. He has always been prone to falling down and I asked his eye doctor if his depth perception could be off or if it is related to his vision and he said no. Told me Babe Ruth had a lazy eye on and on but not sure I believe him. Why else would he be so prone to falling down- he has even fallen down the stairs several times We took him to a neurologist for the falling down as even his teacher was concerned about it- he was falling out of his chair at school- and he didn't find anything wrong on exam that would indicate a neurological problelm.

I am wondering if anyone has ever tried vision therapy for esotropia- his one eye turns inward. Or amblyopia (aka lazy eye). I am trying to look it up online and there are websites with doctors who specialize in it but I am leary of people advertising online. And playing off people whose children have this problem.

Any advice or info about where to find a legit doctor who provides vision therapy would be much appreciated. We are located in South Jersey so anyone within driving distance would be great. Sorry so long! Thanks for reading and I am very grateful for any advice.

Hi My DD sounds exactly like your DS!

First thing first This can and will cause depth perception. Right now we are unsure (according to her Dr.) if she will ever beable to drive. We were told she will not be able to work as a police officer, surgeon or be in the military. Our DD has 20/40 vision with her glass too. We were told at this stage in the game her vision is not very likly to improve (those improvements happen to kids under 5) We started her with patching therepy when she was 2 and they stopped after she was five. I was told that surgury will not cure the vision it will just tighten the muscle and make it so the eye will not turn. Basically it is more cosmetic the medical.

We opted for no surgury as it carries its risks and there were chances that the problem would return overtime.

With our DD we went from her being nearly blind in her lazy eye to the now 20/40. Her depth perception is still poor she is really clumsy and runs strange (but no longer into walls lol!)

From what I understand that if the lazy eye doesn't get used the brain will shut it down so it is important to use the lazy eye and the glasses help this.

Sorry Im not of much help but I wish you and your Child luck!