Wow Vision Therapy Blog
A New Era in Amblyopia Treatment: Moving Beyond the Eye Patch
Amblyopia—commonly known as “lazy eye”—has long been misunderstood as simply a monocular loss of visual acuity in one eye. Traditionally, treatment has focused solely on improving vision in the weaker eye through patching or atropine drops in the stronger eye. But recent evidence and expert clinical experience shows that amblyopia is far more complex than previously believed. It is not just a problem of one eye—it is a binocular vision dysfunction that begins in early infancy or toddlerhood, disrupting the development of depth perception, oculomotor skills, visual processing, and coordination between the eyes.
In the newly published peer-reviewed article, “Point-Counterpoint: A Monocular or Binocular Approach to Amblyopia Treatment?” in Clinical Insights in Eyecare—the online journal of the American Academy of Optometry—Wow Vision Therapy founder Dr. Dan L. Fortenbacher co-authors the binocular counterpoint with renowned developmental vision and rehabilitation expert Dr. Leonard Press.
This journal article compares and contrasts the two approaches for management and treatment of amblyopia and highlights what is known to be true: Amblyopia is a binocular vision disorder, and therefore considering the best first approach for the patient should consider this fundamental principle.
The Hidden Impacts of Amblyopia
Children and adults with amblyopia often experience much more than blurred vision in one eye. Because amblyopia is rooted in a breakdown of binocular integration, patients also struggle with:
- Poor depth perception (stereopsis)
- Eye movement control and tracking (oculomotor skills)
- Delayed eye-hand coordination
- Impaired visual processing
- Reduced reading fluency and speed
- Difficulty in sports (especially those requiring spatial judgment like catching or hitting a ball)
- Challenges in driving, including parking and judging distances
The Problem with Traditional Monocular Treatment
While monocular treatments like patching are low-cost and commonly prescribed, they fail to address the root cause of amblyopia—the disruption of normal binocular development. These approaches also carry numerous downsides:
- Low compliance, especially in children
- Psychological stress, social stigma, and emotional resistance
- Minimal or no improvement in binocular vision and depth perception
- Risk of regression once treatment stops
Patching may boost acuity temporarily, but it does not train the eyes to work together. Vision is not just about clarity—it’s about the brain’s integration and coordination of the two eyes, visual processing and integration with fine motor and gross motor abilities.
Binocular Vision Therapy: A Comprehensive Solution
At Wow Vision Therapy, we take a modern, evidence-based approach to amblyopia—one that engages both eyes together through office-based binocular vision therapy combined with guided home-oriented activities. This approach is customized for each patient and led by a team of experienced doctors and vision therapists.
With advancements in technology, including the use of virtual reality tools, we now have even more effective ways to stimulate binocular function and visual development in both the clinic and the home.
Office-based vision therapy works to improve:
- Eye teaming and tracking
- Visual attention and processing
- Depth perception and spatial awareness
- Eye-hand coordination
- Overall visual performance including reading fluency
Our goal is to not just improve acuity, but to restore full visual function—the ability to see with both eyes, comfortably and accurately, in real life situations.
The Role of the Doctor and Vision Therapist
At Wow Vision Therapy, treatment is not a one-size-fits-all model. Our doctors evaluate the unique binocular vision needs of each patient and design a personalized therapy plan. Our highly experienced vision therapists work closely with patients to provide hands-on guidance, motivation, and adjustments to ensure meaningful, measurable progress.
From children struggling in school to adults facing daily frustrations with depth perception, we help our patients gain the confidence and visual clarity they need to succeed.
Why Wow Vision Therapy?
We are proud to be recognized as one of the leading clinics in the United States for the treatment of amblyopia using binocular vision therapy. Our outcomes speak for themselves, and now the growing body of clinical literature supports what we have known all along—treating amblyopia effectively requires treating the binocular system.
If you or your child has been diagnosed with amblyopia, don’t settle for outdated methods. Contact Wow Vision Therapy, located in Grand Rapids and St. Joseph, Michigan, today to schedule a Comprehensive Developmental Vision Evaluation and begin the path to success.
Better vision starts when both eyes work together.
Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FOVDR