A lazy eye, also referred to as amblyopia, occurs when vision doesn't completely develop in one eye. A number of conditions, each leading to an imbalance in vision between your eyes, can cause this. When this imbalance occurs, your brain shuts off the vision to the bad eye. If detected early, a lazy eye is treatable. Eye exercises are a vital part of any type of corrective treatment.
Palming
The palming exercise is used to strengthen the muscles in your eyes and requires a table and a stack of cushions or any other item that can be used to raise your arms. To begin, sit in front of a table in a comfortable position. Rest your elbows on whatever you chose to prop them up with, raising them high enough so that you're able to place your palms over your eyes without the need to look up or bring your head forward. Close your eyes tightly and place your cupped hands over them. Make sure they're placed tightly over your eyes to prevent light from entering but be careful to avoid placing any unnecessary pressure on the eye sockets. Relax and imagine nothing but a deep blackness while taking slow, deep breaths. Perform this exercise several times a day for at least 10 minutes.
Focusing
The focusing exercise is best performed outdoors. Stand where you can see an object located as far away as possible. The item doesn't have to be clear. In fact, you don't even have to discern what the object is. You just need a starting point for your focal exercise. Pick out an object located within 3 feet from you that you can see clearly. After the item comes into focus, look at an object that is approximately 30 feet from you and do the same thing. Do this with an object that is 500 feet away before moving your attention back to the original item in the distance. When you can see the object as clearly as possible, go back to the close item and start again. Perform these steps a minimum of four times, twice daily.
Eye Patch
The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics recommends the use of an eye patch to correct a lazy eye. Wearing the patch exercises the eye naturally to improve or completely correct the situation. Depending on the severity of your condition, you'll wear a patch over your good eye for a specific amount of time each day, anywhere from a week to several months. This causes your bad eye to work because it won't have the good eye for support; thus vision will be restored in the weaker eye. Even after vision has returned, you may be required to wear the patch on a part-time basis for a long time. Your doctor can place you on a patching treatment.
References
- "45 Lazy Eye Exercises: Exercises to Improve Vision for Those Who Suffer From Amblyopia"; Tammie Taylor; 2009
- University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics: Eye Exercise Therapy for Lazy Eye
- Seeing: The Bates Method: Techniques: Palming
