One eye sees worse than another: possible causes and characteristics of treatment

To such common diseases of the visual system as astigmatism, myopia, cataracts, strabismus, there is often a disorder called amblyopia. This pathology leads to the fact that one eye sees worse than another. The disease is also known as the "lazy eye". Let's see what a disease is, when one eye sees the worst of the other, what to do if such a violation occurs.

What is amblyopia?

At the heart of pathology is the development of dysfunction of the visual analyzer. Fortunately, this process is reversible, since there is no factor of organic damage to the eye.

Why does one eye see worse than another? A similar condition arises because of the disturbed interaction of the optic nerve with the corresponding part of the brain. The main problem with this is the loss of binocular vision. In fact, the brain refuses to synchronize signals from the right and left eyes. That's why one eye sees worse than another, and it is extremely difficult for patients to objectively assess the surrounding reality. The image formed on the retina not only loses the usual outlines, but also becomes less voluminous.

Mechanism of pathology development

Why can vision deteriorate? The eye sees worse than the other most often at an early age. Adults suffer less from similar disorders. The very mechanism of the phenomenon consists in the transmission by one eye of a less qualitative image. Thus, the brain is unable to combine the signals received into a common, holistic picture. As a result, the picture is split.

With the development of amblyopia, the brain gradually completely stops using the eye, which forms the wrong image. If the pathology is present from early childhood, the eyes cease to develop synchronously, which leads to the development of a whole mass of other pathological states of the visual system.

Who is at risk?

Violation, when one eye sees worse than another, most often develops in people that suffer from strabismus or have relatives with this pathology. Amblyopia can also occur if you refuse to take timely measures to treat myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and restore the clouded lens of the eye. The development of the syndrome affects children with poor health, premature babies.

Types of amblyopia

Based on the etiology of the disease, its following varieties are distinguished:

1. Refractive amblyopia - develops as a result of the systematic formation of a fuzzy image on the retina of one eye. Often this leads to reluctance to wear corrective vision glasses in strabismus, myopia.
2. Disbinocular amblyopia - is a common pathology in the presence of strabismus.
3. Obstetrical amblyopia is a violation of the genetic nature that is inherited. Can develop with congenital ptosis or cataract.
4. Anisometropic amblyopia - is gradually formed in cases where one eye sees another worse than just a few diopters.

Treatment

As with any other pathologies, it is better to fight the development of amblyopia at an early stage. The key to successful treatment here is early diagnosis. We must understand that the violation does not pass by itself. Therefore, the earlier qualified medical care is provided, the greater the chances of a full recovery.

Diagnostic procedures aimed at identifying amblyopia, suggest the implementation of the survey, which makes it possible to establish the root cause of pathology. In the future, the ophthalmologist appoints operative or conservative therapy, proceeding from the factors that lie at the root of the development of the disease.

If parents have visual problems, children must undergo a complete ophthalmological examination at the age of 3-5 years. It is during this period that it is easiest to cope with the development of amblyopia.

To strengthen the weak optic nerve, special contact lenses, glasses or laser correction are used. The eye sees worse than the other, until the effects of cataract or strabismus are eliminated. With the correct approach to the organization of therapy, these methods allow us to cope rather quickly with the violations presented.

Often, children are assigned to wear a so-called pirate bandage. For this, the old rim of glasses is covered with cardboard or opaque plastic. Covering the "strong" eye makes the "weak" visual organ work more actively. As an alternative to the device, some ophthalmologists prescribe to patients wearing opaque contact lenses, instilling a healthy eye with atropine, which leads to the formation of a blurred image.

Where to go for help?

Any experienced doctor of an ophthalmologic polyclinic can develop a complex of therapeutic measures to eliminate amblyopia. The specialist will perform diagnostics, prescribe corrective vision procedures, select special contact lenses or glasses. The most qualified help can be obtained by contacting a private ophthalmology center. However, in the latter case, all services will be more expensive.

Cost of treatment

Therapy with the use of hardware techniques is free in public medical institutions. If the root of the disease is strabismus or the development of cataracts, to eliminate amblyopia will have to resort to prompt intervention. The cost of such events starts from about 20,000 rubles.

Finally

As you can see, amblyopia is a rather serious pathology. If you do not pay attention to the elimination of the disease in the early years of life, then the damaged eye can completely lose its ability to function normally. Therefore, timely diagnosis and use of complex therapy plays a huge role in restoring normal visual acuity.