Amblyopia - Lazy Eye

​Are you or your child tired of patching your "good" eye?
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... ​Well, you should be!

Patching of only the ‘good’ eye for extended periods reinforces separation between the eyes (and brain) and creates psychological trauma and resistance. It is also very ineffective and the amblyopic eye often returns to its' pre patched blurred state.  ​
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Don't worry, there is a natural, simple, very effective way to heal Amblyopia.

I know it's hard to believe if you have experience the conventional patching method. But our program takes 8 consecutive sessions (16 -18 weeks) or less and when complete, besides no longer being Amblyopic, which means improved spatial abilities and sports performance, most children achieve 20-20 vision and no longer require glasses!  Adults will most likely reduce their prescription but still require correction. ​
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Causes of Amblyopia:

1. Trauma: difficult birth or accidents causing pressure from the cranial bones on the muscles or nerves innervating the eyes.  Fever, in rare cases a missing muscle, spastic muscle control, nystagmus, strabismus, systemic diseases, infections, paralysis, stroke or eye scarring.
2. Lack of stimulation (infant put in crib with vision blocked off, breast fed on one side, or always put to lie down facing the same way, or born with cataracts or pathology in one or both eyes.
3. Emotional, mental and physical stress causing chronic tension in extrinsic muscles - often a sign that an aspect of the person is split off or dissociated. ​

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​Difference between conventional optometric care and our approach.

Our Approach to Amblyopia (Lazy eye),
Vision Coaching & CranioSacral Therapy Combined.  8 Sessions (16-18 Weeks) 

​You or your child will develop a new relationship with your eyes through craniosacral therapy, brain gym, vision education and coaching, eye exercises, some iPad tools, visual play and artistic expression. These methods are the relaxing, engaging, fun and effective way to heal Amblyopia!   
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When Amblyopia (lazy eye) exists on it's own without strabismus, the program usually takes between 6-8 weeks for children - it can take longer depending on the severity of Amblyopia or if forced patching was traumatic for the child.  When Intermittent strabismus (infrequent eye turn) is also indicated, it takes about the same amount of time.  If Strabismus is permanent or severe, surgery may be a consideration in conjunction with our combined therapy program.

* If a child has been traumatized by forced patching, vision coaching after conventional treatment often needs to begin with a change in visual language and self perception to develop trust & compassion toward what was once known as the 'lazy eye'.   I absolutely avoid language such as ‘good’ and ‘bad’/ ‘lazy’ eye and encourage children and their parents to develop a new relationship with the child’s eyes through play and artistic expression.  It can take 1-3 sessions to develop the trust required and to get to know your child so that the program can be individualized to their temperament and interests.  Children often come up with new names for their eyes and a more dynamic relationship between the eyes (and the aspects of themselves that they represent) can develop.
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Adults vs. Children.
Our program usually takes 8 consecutive sessions or less and when complete, besides no longer being Amblyopic, which means improved spatial abilities and sports performance, most children achieve 20-20 vision and no longer require glasses!  Adults often take longer to break their in-grained habits and will most likely reduce their prescription but still require correction.

*The 8 session program is developmentally appropriate for children 8 years of age or older. ​
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Vision Improvement Coaching 

GOAL: to Achieve 20/20 vision in the Amblyopic Eye.
Thus, the eye is no longer amblyopic and binocular vision is achieved.  

Stages to healing Amblyopia:
Level 1

• a) Goal: to Improve the vision of the weaker eye or straighten the turning eye.
• b) Goal: Working with suppression and encouraging both eyes to switch on at the same time.

​Level 2 Goal: move toward basic eye-teaming
Level 3 Goal: develop more control of eye-teaming
Level 4 Goal: stereoscopic/binocular vision (to see 3D) 

Clients are given engaging home-play tools, games and eye-cises between sessions.  

​For the program to be a success , these should be done almost daily to develop the habits necessary for change.  

**Because patients gain visual awareness and our program is engaging and fun, we find that most children are highly self-motivated and come up with new ways to apply what they learn. 

IMPORTANT

• We encourage one day of the week as a 'day off' and discourage practicing if you are sick or very tired.  
• ​For all clients it is important to be relaxed while participating in the homework, i.e.) not under time pressure.
• ​With children its' important these activities are not forced - it must be fun and engaging to be successful. ​​

​Cranio-Sacral Therapy: 
CST is covered under most Extended Health Benefits 

"In the majority of cases, turned eyes result from the bones of the skull not being in the correct position" ... A turned eye can become a "lazy eye" if the message from that eye is not used by the visual brain in the process of seeing." 
Goodrich, Janet PhD. How to Improve Your Child's Eyesight Naturally. Healing Arts Press, Rochester Vermont, 2004. p 167-168. ​

Craniosacral Therapy ​is performed on a fully clothed body.  Using a light touch generally no more than the weight of a nickel, the practitioner uses delicate techniques to relieve pressure within the sphenoid bone (butterfly shaped bone that houses the eye sockets), brain and spinal cord. The result is a nervous system free of restrictions and a body that is able to return to its greatest levels of performance.
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Crainiosacral Therapy, Rolfing & Vision Acupressure Massage 
with Mayumi Hara CST, RMT, Certified Rolfer TM