Acupuncture may become a future treatment for amblyopia. Patching can be a difficult challenge for children and parents. Blurred vision and the stigma of wearing a patch makes compliance a real challenge. A recent study by Dennis Lam, M.D. of Chinese University of Hong Kong and colleagues found that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for amblopia (lazy eye).
Participants received proper eyeglass correction and an hour of near vision activities along with weekly acupuncture or two hours of patching a day. At the end of 25 weeks, amblopia was resolved in 30% of patching participants and 42.1% of acupucture participants.
When anisometropia (unequal vision between the two eyes) is determined to be the cause of amblyopia, optimal correction in the form of eyeglasses or contact lenses along with the use of eye drops or patching of the good eye can force the brain to use and develop better vision in the weaker eye.
If proven to be effective, acupuncture may be an alternative to tradional patching for amblyopia in the future.
Interested in having your child tested for amblyopia? Schedule an appointment with us today.