Age sometimes brings changes that weaken your eyes, but there are things you can do to maintain lifelong eye health and minimize the impact of age-related vision loss on daily life. The solution may be as simple as using brighter lights around the house to help prevent accidents caused by weak eyesight or having your eye check-up more frequently to screen for age-related diseases.

Normal Age-Related Vision Changes

Not all declines in vision quality are the result of disease; certain anatomical changes naturally occur as the eyes age.

Common age-related vision complaints include:

• “I can’t see as clearly as I used to.”
• “I have difficulty seeing objects close up.”
• “Colors don’t seem as vivid.”
• “It’s getting more difficult to see in the dark.”
• “I’m less able to adapt to glare.”
• “I need more light to see.”

The most significant age-related changes seem to occur in the lens and the pupil; these account for the majority of vision limitations people experience as they get older.

Age-Related Eye Change

1. The pupil becomes smaller and less responsive to variations in light.

This result in having difficulty to see well in dim light condition and less tolerable glare becomes. The time for you to adapt from dark to light or vice versa become more difficult.

Proper lighting condition is needed to compensate for this change.

2. The lens of the eye begins to lose elasticity.

Losing flexibility in tendons and muscles make it harder for the lens to bend in order to focus on closely held objects. This loss of focusing power, or lens accommodation, is known as presbyopia.

Appropriate corrective devices such as reading glasses or multifocal can help you correctly see objects at close distance.

3. The lens of the eye gradually yellows with age.

The yellowing lens tends to absorb and scatter blue light which may affect color perception. Colors may seem duller, and contrasts between colors will be less noticeable.

Adjustment to lighting and warm color choices such as yellow and orange can help to improve your ability to differentiate things.

Eventually, the underlying process that causes lens yellowing may lead to cataract which may require surgical intervention.

What is Not a Normal Part of Aging

With age, it is very important to have regular eye examinations even if you are not experiencing any eye symptoms. Some eye changes may signal something more serious than age-related changes, such as an eye disease that needs medical treatment. Many eye diseases do not have warning symptoms but could be minimized or slowed with proper treatment. For example, although eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment are often painless and the onset is gradual, they can greatly impair vision if not promptly treated.

Don’t hesitate to visit us @Malaya Optical Damansara Uptown and Subang SS15 to have your regular eye check-up by our professional optometrist. Appropriate corrective devices and  referral can be made before it’s become too late to do so.

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Blackfin is a designer eyewear which is developed and manufactured by the famous eyewear company in Italy named “Pramaor”. The Blackfin born through the precise sequence of 53 manufacturing steps performed by a technique of industrial working efficiently, but far from automation of large companies. A quasi-craft production which is a tribute to human capital and the “made in Italy”.

This approach contributes to the definition of a new Italian model of doing, recognized as “neomadeinitaly”. Great attention to context, services and people, with the aim of creating products that arise from the pleasure for the job, the seriousness of research in technology and materials.

The Blackfin frame is purely made from Titanium and Beta-Titanium. Titanium is the core of the products. It is a special material which in itself has some unique features, suitable for creating mounts for optics. A titanium frame is 48% lighter than a similar one made ​​with the more common nickel / silver. The high mechanical performance, lightweight additions to make the titanium material with the best value for mechanical strength / weight.

Pure titanium and beta titanium materials are characterized as totally bio-compatible, non-toxic and hypoallergenic. Every single raw material supply of Pure Titanium and Beta Titanium comes from selected Japanese companies, first in the world for quality. The strength / weight ratio is very low, which makes the Pure Titanium is used to produce thick components, which must simultaneously be very light and sturdy. Meanwhile, the beta titanium is a titanium alloy developed in Japan and has the characteristic of being much more flexible and elastic. For this, Beta Titanium is used in components such as thin rods of many of the frames, the thickness of 0.5 mm are perfectly adaptable to the characteristics of the face.

The following are the main features of the Blackfin frames:

• Light 

The light weight frames are an essential standard for customer’s quality of life.

• Experience 

The shape of eyeglasses involves the knowledge of many technical and aesthetic aspects.

• Ergonomics 

Each frame must be able to adapt to the characteristics of a face, so as to ensure maximum comfort all the time.

• Personality 

Blackfin characterized the ability to enhance the personality of the wearer.

Can’t wait to get a brand new designer eyewear? Blackfin will be undoubtedly an excellent choice for you. It is available now @ Malaya Optical Damansara Uptown.

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Astigmatism might be the most misunderstood vision problem. Even the name is challenging to many people, who incorrectly call it “stigmatism.” In malay, it is often being called as “silau”.

Like nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism is a refractive error, meaning it is not an eye health problem; it simply is a problem with how the eye focuses light.

Normally, the cornea and lens are smooth and curved equally in all directions, helping to focus light rays sharply onto the retina at the back of your eye. However, if your cornea or lens isn’t smooth and evenly curved, light rays aren’t refracted properly. That’s why it is being called as a refractive error.

When the cornea has an irregular shape, it is called corneal astigmatism. When the shape of the lens is distorted, you have lenticular astigmatism.  In an eye with astigmatism, light fails to come to a single focus on the retina to produce clear vision. Instead, multiple focus points occur, either in front of or behind the retina (or both). As a result of either type of astigmatism, your vision for both near and far objects appears blurry or distorted.

In fact, people with astigmatism commonly have an oblong-shaped (oval-shaped) cornea rather than a perfect sphere shape. A ping-pong ball is a perfect sphere, while an American football or a rugby ball has an oblong shape. If the cornea’s curve is like an oblong the light rays will focus on two points in the retina, rather than just one.

People can be born with astigmatism — in fact, most people probably are born with some degree of astigmatism — and they may have it along with other refractive errors: Nearsightedness or Farsightedness.

Children who have astigmatism symptoms may not be aware they have this condition, and are unlikely to complain about blurred or distorted vision. But uncorrected astigmatism can seriously impact a child’s ability to achieve in school and sports. That’s why it is crucial that children have routine eye check-up to detect astigmatism or other vision problems as early as possible. Don’t hesitate to visit Malaya Optical Damansara and Subang SS15 now to have your eye check-up now by our professional optometrist.

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Oakley Stores Petaling Jaya

Oakley is a brand that never sits still. They constantly strive to reinvent, to push farther, to do the undone. The sunglasses in Oakley New Release category represent the latest technology and freshest new looks to complement your lifestyle and it’s always available at Malaya Optical.

Why purchase your Oakley Sunglasses from Malaya Optical? Because we guarantee you 100% Original Oakley with Certification and warranty.

There are many categories of Oakley Sunglasses they are

-Oakley Custom Sunglasses. Style is whatever you make it, so make it your own. Customize Oakley sunglasses with your choice of frame color and finish, lens tint and more. You’ll have the visionary innovations of High Definition Optics® and the look of a true original. You can always drop by at Malaya Optical in Damansara Uptown or Subang SS15 for your Custom Oakley Sunglasses. Our Oakley experts would help you with the selection criteria.

Need Oakley Customized?

-Oakley New Release. Oakley is a brand that never sits still. They constantly strive to reinvent, to push farther, to do the undone. The sunglasses in our New Release category represent the latest technology and freshest new looks to complement your lifestyle. At Malaya Optical in Klang Valley, we ensure that we stock up the latest and the best Oakley Sunglasses available in Malaysia.

New Release of Oakley in Town

-Oakley Polarized Sunglasses.  All polarized sunglasses are not created equally, but this much is clear: Oakley produces the best polarized lenses on earth. Ordinary polarized sunglasses distort your vision and they don’t block nearly enough glare. But the lenses in the Oakley polarized sunglasses collection beat down glare without compromising clarity.

Oakley Polarization Sunglasses

-Oakley Sport Sunglasses. Oakley sports performance sunglasses continue to make their mark on with world of sport. The Oakley legend grows with each new design of sunglasses and each new world-class athlete who sees the top of his game behind the lenses of our sports performance sunglasses.

-Oakley Active Sunglasses. Oakley Men’s Active Sunglasses – Bulldogs of art and technology or easygoing sunglasses with a smooth edge of attitude for your active lifestyle. Engineered for those who understand that style is something you define for yourself. Designed for the ones with no regard for what the world thinks. So if you need its opinion, then Oakley Men’s Active Sunglasses probably aren’t meant for you.

-Oakley Lifestyle Sunglasses. In sunglasses, as in life, it’s not enough just to stand out. You’ve got to back up the flash with substance. That’s why superior athletes and popular people rock our men’s sunglasses . Some shades protect your eyes. Others protect your image. The Oakley sunglasses in our Lifestyle collection do both. The Oakley attitude abides.

-Oakley Asian Fit Sunglasses. Do sunglasses tend to sit too low on your face or slide down your nose? Do they feel too narrow at the sides of your head? If so, Oakley has a solution for you. Oakley Asian Fit sunglasses represent our belief that getting the right fit is essential for comfort, protection, and even optical performance. Learn more about Asian Fit.

-Oakley Special Editions Sunglasses. Drawing on designs inspired by artists, charities, sports and the athletes who play them, Oakley Men’s Special Edition sunglasses combine the world’s finest optics with some of Oakley’s favorite causes. From LIVESTRONG™ to the official eyewear of Major League Baseball®, Oakley Men’s Special Edition sunglasses help you wear your heart on your face.

-Oakley Limited Editions Sunglasses. Oakley Limited Edition sunglasses are the embodiment of our mission to elevate science to an art form. We occasionally invite artists from an array of disciplines-from popular surfboard designers to the legendary automotive mind of Chip Foose-to apply their chops to some of our most popular sunglasses, and the result is a collection of original limited edition sunglasses like nothing else you’ve ever seen.

-Oakley Photo chromatic Sunglasses. Oakley photochromic sunglasses are engineered to help you maintain peak performance regardless of the light conditions outside. In the bright light of day, photochromic lenses filter out 100% of all harmful ultraviolet rays. And as the sun goes down, they automatically adjust to the fading light. If you’re going to go for it, go for it all day long.

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MYKITA’s in-house workshop in Berlin has been supplying hand-assembled eyewear for the high-end segment since 2003. The creative core behind the brand are its four founders Moritz Krueger, Philipp Haffmans, Daniel Haffmans and Harald Gottschling.

A clear design signature coupled with excellent product quality and a huge potential for innovation have helped make MYKITA a major name on the international eyewear market. MYKITA’s patented hinge concepts have given the brand a unique identity. The frame designs are avant-garde, individual and unmistakable thanks to their clear handwriting. A key factor in the company’s success is its integrated business philosophy.It is lived and fostered in all areas. All steps are united under a single roof at the MYKITA HQ in the heart of Berlin. The dedicated workshop combines cutting-edge materials with high-tech component production and traditional hand assembly. The name MYKITA is derived from “Kita” (a common abbreviation for Kindertagesstätte) and is a reference to the firm’s first premises in a former day nursery.

MYKITA’s in-house workshop in Berlin has been supplying hand-assembled eyewear for the high-end segment since 2003. The creative core behind the brand are its four founders Moritz Krueger, Philipp Haffmans, Daniel Haffmans and Harald Gottschling.A clear design signature coupled with excellent product quality and a huge potential for innovation have helped make MYKITA a major name on the international eyewear market. MYKITA’s patented hinge concepts have given the brand a unique identity. The frame designs are avant-garde, individual and unmistakable thanks to their clear handwriting. A key factor in the company’s success is its integrated business philosophy.It is lived and fostered in all areas. All steps are united under a single roof at the MYKITA HQ in the heart of Berlin. The dedicated workshop combines cutting-edge materials with high-tech component production and traditional hand assembly. The name MYKITA is derived from “Kita” (a common abbreviation for Kindertagesstätte) and is a reference to the firm’s first premises in a former day nursery.

MYKITA SUNGLASSES COLLECTIONS.

Mykita -Ben                                  Mykita- Douglas                     Mykita -Larry

Mykita -Brad                                 Mykita -Elle                             Mykita -Pierce

Mykita- Bruce                               Mykita- Elliot                          Mykita -Rolf

Mykita – Cassius                           Mykita- Ethan                         Mykita- Rufus

Mykita- Cliford                             Mykita – Fanny                       Mykita -Terrence

Mykia- Cooper                              Mykita- Fenja                           Mykita-Tiago

MYKITA made its debut on the eyewear market with COLLECTION NO1. This metal frame collection boasts not only innovative and functional design, but also MYKITA’s patented hinge that removes the need for awkward screws and soldering.The individual frame elements are cut out of thin stainless sheet steel before being manually shaped in a series of separate steps.

COLLECTION NO2 is a collection made from voluminous acetate with a newly developed and patented hinge concept based on the innovative Metal Injection Moulding process. The sophisticated look resulting from this new technique comprises the signature identity of MYKITA: a symbiosis of perfected form and functionality.
After years of experience in pioneering product design, technical innovation and research MYKITA introduced MYLON in 2010. This material is a polyamide for which a patented surface treatment was developed, and that can be moulded into any shape desired.A technique known as Selective Laser Sintering enables the realisation of three-dimensional structures without the form-related limitations of conventional injection moulding tools. MYLON boasts unlimited design options, its remarkable lightness translating into unmatched wearability – however large the frame. In addition, the material’s thermal adaptability means the frames are fully adjustable.

 

Mykita Designer Eyewear at Malaya Optical

Collaborative ventures with avant-garde designers such as Bernhard Willhelm or Alexandre Herchcovitch have seen MYKITA appearing on international catwalks and become an established feature of the fashion world.

 

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Carl Zeiss’s has just released a new self-tinting lens that they say darkens in 15 – 30 seconds and is clear again in five to 10 minutes, eliminating the need for people to swap between sunglasses and eyeglasses when moving between outdoor and indoor environments.

PhotoFusion® technology is based on patented photoactive molecules that unfold when exposed to UV light, thus darkening the lens and providing protection. According Carl Zeiss, these new lenses are very clear indoors (92 per cent transparency with antireflective coating) and very dark outdoors (9 per cent transparency in sunlight with antireflective coating).

The lenses also provide 100 per cent protection against UV rays up to 400 nm and excellent colour consistency for natural vision. Importantly, the company claims, they retain their self-tinting ability for a long time.

As regards to the photochromatic lenses, there are some main critism against it–The lenses are often considered to react too slowly to changes in light. Few things need to be emphasize on is that:

• Customer priority number one: faster reaction

• Consumers very conscious of health and quality

• Consumers want lenses to make their lives easier

• No more changing between glasses and sunglasses

With that, an innovation which is guaranteed to demonstrate genuine improvements in comfort and performance: PhotoFusion®, the new self-tinting lenses was created by ZEISS. The following are the key benefits of this new photochromatic lenses:

• Fast reaction for more convenience

             -2X faster from dark to clear

             -Up to 20% faster from clear to dark

• Very dark and very clear for excellent vision

             -Clear state 92% transmision

             -Dark state 11% transmission

• 100% Solar UV protection for full protection

• Strong durability- for long-lasting satisfaction

• Excellent color consistency- for natural light

For futher information, please visit Malaya optical @Damansara Uptown and Subang SS15 to get a pair of photofusion lenses. 

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Safe gel contact lens is a product from a company called Safilens. Safilens srl was founded in 2001 by a team with over 30 years of management and technical experience in contact lenses. Based in Staranzano, Gorizia, in North East Italy.

Safilens is committed to the idea that every new product should bring innovation to the contact lens sector. Thus far, it has maintained this commitment.

• The CARRERA range, designed for special visual needs: sports, driving

• @OFFICE range, designed with VDU filter for computer users

• SAFEGEL, designed to reduce the symptoms normally associated with dry eye

Safegel contact lenses represent a significant leap in contact lens performance. They are designed for wearers who demand the highest levels of long term comfort from their disposable lens wear.

Safegel takes a unique approach to all day comfort by being the ONLY contact lens material to incorporate the natural bio-polymer, sodium hyaluronate – used in many leading dry eye drops – into the lens matrix.

Sodium Hyaluronate (also known as Hyaluronic Acid or HA) is a natural polysaccharide that is found widely in connective and epithelial tissues that:

• Loves water~binding 3000 times its own weight in water
• Loves warmth~heating in the eye increases fluidity, resulting in its gradual slow released ito the pre and post lens tear film
• Loves blinking~sheer forces created by the lid blinking further aids flow into the tear film
• Loves tears~becoming less viscous during the blink, and more viscous between blinks (mimicking the non-Newtonian behaviour of natural tears)

Besides that, Sodium hyaluronate is administered through a series of injections into the knee, which helps lubricate, cushion and reduce pain in the joint.

Safegel, the World’s first hyaluronate-gel contact lens, produces a continual slow-release of sodium hyaluronate helping to replenish the pre and post-lens tear film, maximising lens comfort throughout the longest wearing times. Do visit us @Malaya Optical Damansara Uptown and Subang SS15 to experience a revolutionary way of contact lens wear.

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Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and is the principal cause of blindness in the world. In fact, there are more cases of cataracts worldwide than there are of glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy combined, according to Prevent Blindness America (PBA).

Today, cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older. And as the U.S. population ages, more than 30 million Americans are expected to have cataracts by the year 2020, PBA says.

Types of cataracts include:

• A subcapsular cataract occurs at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high farsightedness or retinitis pigmentosa, or those taking high doses of steroid medications have a greater risk of developing a subcapsular cataract.
• A nuclear cataract forms deep in the central zone (nucleus) of the lens. Nuclear cataracts usually are associated with aging.
• A cortical cataract is characterized by white, wedge-like opacities that start in the periphery of the lens and work their way to the center in a spoke-like fashion. This type of cataract occurs in the lens cortex, which is the part of the lens that surrounds the central nucleus.

Cataract Symptoms and Signs

A cataract starts out small and at first has little effect on your vision. You may notice that your vision is blurred a little, like looking through a cloudy piece of glass or viewing an impressionist painting.

Hazy or blurred vision may mean you have a cataract.

A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright or glaring. Or you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did.

The type of cataract you have will affect exactly which symptoms you experience and how soon they will occur. When a nuclear cataract first develops, it can bring about a temporary improvement in your near vision, called “second sight.”

Unfortunately, the improved vision is short-lived and will disappear as the cataract worsens. On the other hand, a subcapsular cataract may not produce any symptoms until it’s well-developed.

If you think you have a cataract, see an eye doctor for an exam to find out for sure.

What Causes Cataracts?

The lens inside the eye works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina. It adjusts the eye’s focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away.

The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it.

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children myopia control, myovision, kids specs,

Children’s vision care is essential to every child’s development, and please take it seriously. Experts say that over 80 percent of what a child learns in school is presented visually, so making sure your son or daughter has good vision can make a big difference in their academic performance, social confidence and emotional status.

Routine eye exams for children can detect any nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism your child has so it can be promptly treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Routine exams are also needed to make sure your child’s eyes are healthy and to rule out amblyopia, strabismus and other binocular vision problems that may interfere with your child’s vision development, academic performance and sports vision. Ask your Optometrist at Malaya Optical in Damansara Uptown

Children’s Vision Problems

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia (or “lazy eye”) is a vision development problem in infants and young children that can lead to permanent vision loss. Ask your Optometrist at Malaya Optical.

Vision Problems of Preschool Children
Learn the warning signs of a preschool vision problem. Also, when to schedule your child’s first eye exam.

Vision Problems of Schoolchildren
Up to 25 percent of schoolchildren may have vision problems that can affect their ability to learn. Read how to keep your child from being in this group.

Teen Vision: Time for Contacts?
A brief primer on what you should know when your teen wants to start wearing contact lenses.

Can Anything Stop or Slow the Progression of Myopia in Kids?
Studies have tested rigid contact lenses, soft contact lenses, drugs and eyeglass lenses for their ability to keep myopia from developing in children. Our Optometrist at Malaya Optical in Damansara Uptown or Subang Jaya SS15 would be able to introduce you the latest state of the art Prescription Lenses by Carl Zeiss called Myovision.

Kids and Computers
How to help your child avoid eye strain and other problems when using computers. Find out more from our Optometrist in Petaling Jaya located in Damansara Uptown.

Learning-Related Vision Problems
Does your child avoid reading? Is he struggling in school? Find out if an undetected learning-related vision problem is to blame from our Optometrist at Malaya Optical.

Stargardt’s Disease and Children
This inherited form of macular degeneration can cause central vision loss in children, who may need special instruction in how to use low vision aids.

Eyewear for Children

Contact Lenses for Children
Are contact lenses safe for children? Read about the advantages, age considerations and more when considering contacts for your kids. We offer Contact lenses such as Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Eyeglasses for Kids
Here’s an article on choosing a child’s eyeglass frame. The 10 Tips for Buying Kids’ Eyewear.

Rule 1. Your children MUST Like the eyeglasses and NOT just you. Remember, they are wearing them and it’s not you. If it makes them feel uncomfortable or embarrassed they won’t put them on

Rule 2. Choose something light eg Titanium Frames. It would be more comfortable

Rule 3. Make sure you have Temple length less than 130mm

Rule 4. Make sure there are options for Frame Size. A child below 7years old should normally fit size 45 and below. 7-12years old should fit 50 and below and if your child is 13years old and above should fit adult glasses already.

Rule 5. Make sure it’s a high index lenses or Polycarbonate. Kids today, are very active in sports. Wearing high grade lenses would decress the chances of the prescription lenses cracking or shattering during sports

Rule 6. Explain to them why the need to wear eyeglasses and make sure you related it to their level.

Rule 7. Young children are very attracted to bright and colourful frames, remember to select them. Also, don’t always choose round frames as the prescription lenses axis would rotate and causing ill effects to the child.

Rule 8. Ask for temple tips to ensure customize adjustment for your childs temple fit.

Rule 9. Make sure the eyeglasses for your child is prescribed by an Optometrist

Rule10.Enjoy the selection process, give the child a sense of responsibility in the frames they choose. It would help in the long run.

Polycarbonate Glasses
Glasses with polycarbonate lenses are the best choice for children. Read why.

Children’s Sunglasses
Sunglasses that block 100 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays are essential for children. Read tips for buying good sunglasses for your kids.

Protective Eyewear
Are your children wearing protective eyewear for sports and other activities? Read why they should.

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Treatment for lazy eye

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a vision development disorder in which an eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity, even with prescription glasses or contact lenses. Amblyopia begins during infancy and early childhood. In most cases, only one eye is affected. But in some cases, reduced visual acuity can occur in both eyes.

Particularly if lazy eye is detected early in life and promptly treated, reduced vision can be avoided. But if left untreated, lazy eye can cause severe visual disability in the affected eye, including legal blindness. A lot of misled about lazy eye, just because one side eye has a difference in power. It does not justify for classification of a lazy eye if both eyes can achieve similar visual acuity with the aid of glasses or contact lenses. If somebody has classified your child as lazy eyed, please drop by at Malaya Optical in Damansara Uptown for our Optometrist to double check and ensure that your child is/not Amblyopia/Lazy Eye.

Amblyopia Signs and Symptoms

Because amblyopia typically is a problem of infant vision development, symptoms of the condition can be difficult to discern. However, a common cause of amblyopia is strabismus. So if you notice your baby or young child has crossed eyes or some other apparent eye misalignment, schedule an appointment for a children’s eye exam immediately — preferably with an optometrist or ophthalmologist who specializes in children’s vision.

Another clue that your child may have amblyopia is if he or she cries or fusses when you cover one eye. This may suggest that the eye you have covered is the “good” eye, and that the uncovered eye is amblyopic, causing blurred vision.

You can help your child accept patching more readily. At Malaya Optical in Damansara Uptown in Petaling Jaya we have Fun Patches require no adhesive because they slide onto the temple of an eyeglass frame. These eye patch stimulates the interest of the child to put them on, and we get the wear time that they need

What Causes Amblyopia?

Strabismus is the most common cause of amblyopia. To avoid double vision caused by poorly aligned eyes, the brain ignores the visual input from the misaligned eye, leading to amblyopia in that eye (the “lazy eye”). This type of amblyopia is called strabismic amblyopia.Sometimes, amblyopia is caused by unequal refractive errors in the two eyes, despite perfect eye alignment. For example, one eye may have significant uncorrected nearsightedness or farsightedness, while the other eye does not. Or one eye may have significant astigmatism and the other eye does not. In such cases, the brain relies on the eye that has less uncorrected refractive error and “tunes out” the blurred vision from the other eye, causing amblyopia in that eye from disuse. This type of amblyopia is called refractive amblyopia (or anisometropic amblyopia).

Amblyopia Treatment

In some cases of refractive amblyopia, normal vision can be achieved simply by fully correcting the refractive errors in both eyes with glasses or contact lenses. Usually, however, at least some patching of the “good” eye is needed to force the brain to pay attention to the visual input from the amblyopic eye and enable normal vision development to occur in that eye.Treatment of strabismic amblyopia often involves strabismus surgery to straighten the eyes, followed by eye patching and often some form of vision therapy (also called orthoptics) to help both eyes work together equally as a team.Patching may be required for several hours each day or even all day long and may continue for weeks or months.

In some children, atropine eye drops have been used to treat amblyopia instead of an eye patch. One drop is placed in your child’s good eye each day (your eye doctor will instruct you). Atropine blurs vision in the good eye, which forces your child to use the eye with amblyopia more, to strengthen it. One advantage of using atropine eye drops is that it doesn’t require your constant vigilance to make sure your child wears the patch. In one large study of 419 children younger than 7 years of age with amblyopia ranging from 20/40 to 20/100 prior to treatment, atropine therapy produced comparable results to eye patching (though improvement in visual acuity in the amblyopic eye was slightly greater in the patching group). As a result, some previously skeptical eye care practitioners are using atropine as their first choice for amblyopia treatment over patching. However, atropine does have side effects that should be considered: light sensitivity (because the eye is constantly dilated), flushing and possible paralysis of the ciliary muscle after long-term atropine use, which could affect the eye’s accommodation, or ability to change focus.

Help for Older Children and Adults With Lazy Eye

For years, experts believed that if amblyopia treatment was not initiated very early in life, no improvement in visual acuity was possible. The critical period for intervention was said to be around age 8.

Though modern amblyopia treatments might improve vision in older children and adults, most experts agree that early detection and treatment of lazy eye is preferred for normal visual development and the best visual outcomes from amblyopia treatment.

Amblyopia will not go away on its own, and untreated lazy eye can lead to permanent visual problems and poor depth perception. If later in life your child’s stronger eye develops disease or is injured, he or she will depend on the poor vision of the amblyopic eye, so it is best to treat amblyopia early on.

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