Eye Health Q&A: Amblyopia & Lazy Eye

In this informative Q&A episode of It’s Good to See You, Dr. Rupa Wong addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about amblyopia, one of the most common childhood eye conditions. Dr. Wong dives deep into the causes, treatment options, and prognosis for individuals diagnosed at different stages of life.

Questions Answered in This Episode:

1. I have amblyopia, but my husband does not. How likely is it that our children will have it?
   • Dr. Wong discusses the genetic factors involved and the likelihood of children developing amblyopia when one parent has the condition.
2. Does patching the eye help? How old is too old to patch?
   • Dr. Wong explains the effectiveness of patching, the best age for patching treatment, and whether it is useful for older children or teens.
3. For amblyopia found in the teen years, can surgery be done later in life (30’s) to fix it?
   • Dr. Wong explores treatment options available for adults with amblyopia, including the challenges of late diagnosis and management.

Key Topics Covered:

• The 3 Causes of Amblyopia:
• Refractive Amblyopia – Occurs due to unequal refractive errors between the eyes.
• Strabismic Amblyopia – Develops when the eyes are misaligned.
• Deprivational Amblyopia – Caused by an obstruction to vision, such as a cataract.
• Treatment Options Discussed:
• Patching – Covering the stronger eye to encourage the weaker eye to develop.
• Atropine penalization – An alternative to patching, commonly used for younger children.
• VR headsets like Luminopia – A new, innovative approach using dichopic training to treat amblyopia.
• Critical Period of Visual Development:
• Dr. Wong emphasizes the importance of early intervention, explaining how the brain’s ability to adapt decreases with age, making early treatment crucial.

Do you have more questions about amblyopia or other vision concerns? Dr. Wong invites you to call and leave a voicemail at 818-643-7158 to have your questions answered in the next Q&A episode.

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram @drrupawong
• Have questions or want to suggest a topic for a future episode? Reach out to me at hello@drrupawong.com

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