One of the causes of amblyopia (lazy eye) is anisometropia, which occurs when there is a significant difference in the refractive error between the two eyes. When the difference exceeds 2.5 diopters, it may lead to amblyopia. Amblyopia is a reduction in visual acuity caused by incomplete normal visual development or reduced use of one eye during the critical period of visual development in childhood. Usually, only one eye is affected. It is a common condition among children, and according to WHO statistics, it affects approximately 4% of the world’s population.
Previously, one of the major problems was the lack of effective treatment for amblyopia caused by anisometropia in patients older than 10 years. However, a new treatment method has been developed that considers both the patient’s age and the duration of occlusion, while also improving visual acuity and reducing the refractive difference between the eyes, or both, during each treatment session through stimulation of the eye muscles using therapeutic physical exercises.
Treatment of Anisometropia
Eyeglasses are not usually considered the ideal treatment for anisometropia. Although spectacle lenses produce clear retinal images, the image size depends on the lens power. Differences in image size between the two retinas — a condition known as aniseikonia — can produce many of the same symptoms caused by anisometropia itself.
If amblyopia persists after correcting the refractive error difference, therapeutic eye muscle exercises (visual stimulation) and vision therapy sessions may also be recommended.
The patient shown in the image was treated successfully despite having a refractive difference of 6 diopters between the two eyes. The treatment was performed through multiple therapy sessions, and improvement was observed during each session.
Currently, this treatment method mainly relies on therapeutic exercises to stimulate and activate the eye muscles, with eye examinations performed before and after the exercises, without patching or covering either eye during the treatment sessions.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Mundhir Samin Shukr
University of Al-Mustaqbal – The First and Leading Private University