If you’ve ever noticed a child wearing an eye patch, you might be witnessing an important treatment for a common childhood vision condition known as amblyopia, or lazy eye. This condition affects about 75,000 3-year-olds in the U.S. every year. Amblyopia occurs when one eye is weaker than the other, and the brain suppresses the input from the weaker eye. Without treatment, the weaker eye can drift and become functionally useless over time.
Dr. Rick Graebe, FCOVD, an optometrist and pediatric eye specialist in Versailles, Kentucky, often treats children with amblyopia. He sees multiple cases each day at his practice, the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, which also has a location in Somerset, Kentucky. According to Dr. Graebe, an eye patch is an effective first step in treatment, but only if used correctly.
Why Eye Patches Are Used in Lazy Eye Treatment
The concept behind patching is simple: by covering the stronger eye, the brain is forced to rely on the weaker one, encouraging it to work harder. Dr. Graebe explains, “It’s like having a Clydesdale horse and a Shetland pony pulling a plow. The Clydesdale does all the work unless you even the load.”
This is where the eye patch comes in—it gives the weaker eye a chance to catch up. However, many eye doctors stop at this basic step and don’t provide additional exercises or therapies, which are essential for achieving optimal results.
The Importance of Visual Activities During Patching
Dr. Graebe emphasizes that simply wearing the patch isn’t enough. “It’s critical to prescribe specific activities while the child is wearing the patch,” he says. These activities—such as cutting with scissors, stringing beads, coloring, or playing word search games—stimulate the connection between the weaker eye and the brain. These exercises help build the necessary visual skills for the eye to work correctly.
If patching alone doesn’t lead to improvement, there are still options. Contrary to the popular myth that amblyopia can’t be treated after age 8, Dr. Graebe stresses that the brain’s plasticity means improvement is possible at any age. “We’ve successfully treated patients in their 70s,” he adds, offering hope for those who may have thought they were out of options.
What Comes After Patching?
For patients whose lazy eye doesn’t improve with patching alone, Neuro-Visual Performance Institute offers Vision Therapy. This therapy works much like physical therapy for the eyes, brain, and body. The goal is to train the brain to use the weaker eye in coordination with the stronger one, enhancing depth perception and three-dimensional vision.
Vision Therapy at Dr. Graebe’s office includes a range of exercises, from wearing 3D glasses and prisms to tossing beanbags while balancing on a mini trampoline. These activities are designed to build awareness of the weaker eye and integrate its function into daily activities. The therapy room at the institute resembles a physical therapy clinic, reinforcing the idea that vision is a dynamic process involving the entire body.
Real Results, Real Hope
Dr. Graebe’s team has helped countless patients regain proper vision through this combination of patching and Vision Therapy. One memorable case involved a woman in her 70s who, after years of struggling with amblyopia, finally found success through these innovative methods. This underscores Dr. Graebe’s belief that vision problems can be addressed at any stage of life.
“We are very confident in our ability to fix this problem,” says Dr. Graebe. “It feels great when we help someone open new doors. A whole new world opens up for them.”
Schedule Your Consultation
If your child—or even you—are dealing with amblyopia, don’t wait to seek treatment. At Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, Dr. Rick Graebe and his team are committed to providing expert care for patients of all ages. With locations in Versailles serving the greater Lexington area and Somerset, they are one of the only pediatric specialty practices serving Central and Southern Kentucky.
Call us today at 859-879-0089 to schedule your appointment.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.