When Patching Stops Working: How Vision Therapy Helped a Child Reach 20/20 — A Case Study by Dr. Jenny Lee
- Lynn Valley Optometry
- 2 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Amblyopia, often called lazy eye, is one of the most common childhood vision conditions. Many families start treatment with glasses and eye patching, which can be effective at first. However, many children reach a point where progress stops.
A recent peer-reviewed case report in the Clinical and Refractive Optometry Journal, authored by Dr. Jenny JY Lee, shows how vision therapy helped a young patient reach 20/20 vision when patching no longer made improvements.
You can read the full journal article here: Reaching 20/20 with Vision Therapy: Vision Therapy in Managing Moderate Refractive Amblyopia After Patching
If you suspect amblyopia, book a Pediatric Eye Exam at Lynn Valley Optometry.
What Is Amblyopia?
Amblyopia is reduced vision in one eye because the brain is relying too heavily on the other. Even with the right prescription, the weaker eye does not develop normal visual clarity.
Early signs can include:
One eye drifting inward or outward
Squinting or closing one eye
Avoiding reading or near tasks
Reduced depth perception
Head tilting
Learn more or call to book a Vision Therapy assessment.
Does Amblyopia Cause an Eye Turn or Lazy Eye?
The terms “lazy eye” and “eye turn” can be confusing. Here is the simplest explanation.
Amblyopia
Reduced vision due to the brain favouring one eye. Eyes may appear perfectly straight.
Strabismus (eye turn)
A visible misalignment, where one eye drifts in, out, up or down.
How they relate
Amblyopia does not cause an eye turn. However, an eye turn can cause amblyopia because the brain starts ignoring the misaligned eye.
If your child has an eye turn, schedule a children’s vision evaluation.
Why Amblyopia Patching Alone Sometimes Fails
Patching strengthens the weaker eye by forcing it to work harder.But it does not fix the binocular (two-eye) skills required for:
Depth perception
Eye tracking
Eye teaming
Visual focus
Suppression problems
That is why many children see improvement early, then reach a plateau.
The Case Study: When Vision Therapy Becomes the Missing Link
Dr. Lee evaluated a 9-year-old boy who came in with clumsiness, losing his place while reading, headaches, and blurred vision in his left eye. He wore the correct glasses and had completed several months of patching, but his progress had stalled. His vision remained at 20/30, and testing showed ongoing binocular imbalance.
“Visual acuity plateaued and binocular imbalances remained after patching.” —Jenny JY Lee, OD, FAAO. Clinical & Refractive Optometry Journal
Dr. Lee diagnosed residual mild refractive amblyopia in the left eye, with a history of moderate amblyopia earlier in his treatment. Because patching had reached its limit, she recommended a structured program of 20 in-office vision therapy sessions completed over several months to address the underlying binocular and coordination issues that patching alone could not resolve.
Results: Reaching 20/20 Vision
After the first 10 sessions, the boy’s headaches, blur, hand–eye coordination, balance, and reading comfort had noticeably improved.
After completing vision therapy, the child achieved:
20/20 visual acuity in the amblyopic eye
Improved stereoacuity from 50 to 30 seconds of arc
Stronger convergence
Better reading comfort
Improved balance and coordination
“Vision therapy addressed binocular deficits that patching could not resolve.” —Jenny JY Lee, OD, FAAO. Clinical & Refractive Optometry Journal
Amblyopia Quick Answers
Do Eye Exercises Improve Amblyopia?
Supervised Vision Therapy can improve amblyopia, especially when binocular issues remain after patching.Home exercises, apps or DIY kits are not equivalent and cannot replace professional care.
Lynn Valley Optometry offers customized in-clinic and home-supported therapy programs monitored by our Vision Therapy team.
Is There Surgery for Amblyopia?
No.Amblyopia cannot be corrected with surgery because the condition is neurological, not muscular.
Eye muscle surgery may help realign the eyes in strabismus, but vision still requires therapy to correct how the brain uses the eyes.
Do Eye Drops Treat Amblyopia?
Some clinics use atropine drops to blur the stronger eye as an alternative to patching.However, this treats only clarity, not binocular vision.Children who plateau with drops often benefit from vision therapy.
Why Vision Therapy Matters in Modern Amblyopia Care
Vision therapy trains the eyes and brain to work together.
Benefits include:
Better reading fluency
Improved depth perception
Better tracking
Clearer, more stable vision
Higher confidence in school and sports
Lynn Valley Optometry provides evidence-based vision therapy for amblyopia, eye teaming, tracking problems, concussion recovery and more.
What are the most effective amblyopia treatments?
Glasses, patching, atropine drops and vision therapy. Treatment depends on the cause and severity.
Can adults with amblyopia improve their vision?
Yes. Vision therapy can help adults improve binocular vision, depth perception and suppression.
How long does vision therapy take?
Most amblyopia programs range from 12–24 weeks depending on severity and goals.
Are home vision therapy kits effective?
DIY kits and apps cannot replace supervised therapy. Proper amblyopia treatment requires professional monitoring.
Does my child need an eye exam before starting therapy?
Yes. A full exam ensures correct prescription, eye health and binocular evaluation. Book here.
Amblyopia Treatment at Lynn Valley Optometry
We provide complete care, all in one place:
(Link: /eye-exams)
Custom treatment plans for amblyopia, strabismus, reading difficulties and neurological conditions.
Ortho-K, MiSight, and MiyoSmart.
✔ Advanced Imaging
OCT and retinal imaging for early detection.
✔ On-site Eyewear Experts
Full eyewear solutions for clarity, comfort and confidence.
Book an Amblyopia Assessment
If your child is not progressing with patching or you want a more complete treatment approach, our team can help.
Source
Case report by Dr. Jenny JY Lee, published in the Clinical and Refractive Optometry Journal: “Reaching 20/20 with Vision Therapy: Managing Moderate Refractive Amblyopia After Patching.” Read the full article here.