Eye care OKC consists of more than wearing sunglasses and avoiding too much screen time. Your eye care treatment plan may include specific steps your doctor determines to maintain your vision. If you have amblyopia, commonly referred to as “lazy eye,” your doctor may recommend certain medications to add to your treatment plan, such as Botox®.
Maintaining Your Eye Care OKC: What Is Lazy Eye?
The National Eye Institute notes that lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, is a condition in which the brain and eye have trouble working together to see clearly. The brain stops interpreting what the eye sees due to poor vision, which may be caused by another eye condition. Although it can occur in both eyes, this is uncommon. Only one eye is usually affected. As time progresses, vision in the affected eye worsens because the brain depends more on the stronger eye to see.
Lazy Eye vs. Strabismus
The cause of amblyopia is not always known, although it can be connected to another eye condition called strabismus. Strabismus is often confused with amblyopia. It is a condition in which eyes are not aligned. As one eye looks in one direction, the other drifts in another. This happens when there is an anomaly with muscle movement in the eye or how signals are sent to the brain. People with strabismus are more likely to develop amblyopia, as the brain gradually relies on the stronger, properly-aligned eye.
The ideal treatment for amblyopia depends on its cause. For some, wearing an eye patch on the stronger eye can help retrain your brain to use the weaker one. Your eye doctor may also prescribe drops to blur vision in the stronger eye to strengthen the weaker eye. In cases of lazy eye caused by strabismus, cornea doctors Oklahoma may also determine Botox® to be the ideal course of treatment.
What is Botox® and How Does It Help Lazy Eye?
Most people associate Botox® with aesthetic treatments, such as reducing wrinkles and frown lines. However, it is also an effective treatment for those experiencing amblyopia and strabismus. Botox®, also known as botulinum toxin, can relax and restore balance to the muscles in the eyes through temporary paralysis.
Instead of invasive procedures like eyelid surgery OKC, a fine needle is used to inject medication into the muscle. There is minimal pain, and Botox® may begin working within a few hours or days after injection. The effects of Botox® may last several weeks or months.
What Other Eye Conditions Can Botox® Help With?
Botox® is also helpful for other eye conditions, such as excessive twitching. Likewise, some eye conditions cause muscle contractions. Botox® helps to stop your muscles from contracting, relieving you from tightened muscles. If you are interested in Botox® to help with an existing eye condition, contact your cornea doctors Oklahoma to see if Botox® is right for you.
Visit the Doctors At BVA For Your Eye Care OKC
Lazy eye can be a physically and emotionally debilitating condition if left untreated. By visiting your eye doctor, they can determine the ideal treatment plan to correct amblyopia. Depending on your condition, your eye doctor may recommend wearing an eye patch, using blurring drops, or getting Botox® injections. If you are considering any of these options for amblyopia, including Botox®, get in touch with your eye doctor.
If you are in need of an experienced doctor to maintain your eye health, consider one of our eye specialists at BVA. We have a team of doctors specializing in various eye conditions and treatments, from eyelid surgery OKC and LASIK eye surgery to glaucoma and cataract treatment. Our doctors have extensive knowledge and experience to provide our patients with high-quality care and excellent service. If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment to see one of the doctors at BVA, please reach out to us today. We look forward to hearing from you!