The FDA has approved a new treatment for amblyopia, also known as lazy eye syndrome. Israel-based OphthoCare plans to replace the eyepatch with some innovative glasses that force the lazy eye to work:
“We generate an electronic curtain with liquid crystal technology which closes the shutter over the strong eye, and forces the use of the weak eye. This closure takes place automatically and lasts maybe 10 to 15 seconds. Then it’s open for another 10-15 seconds,” Herzog told ISRAEL21c.
The ‘close-open’ exercises continue as long as the glasses are worn, he explained, and strengthens the amblyopic eye, improves the visual acuity and enhance binocular vision as well. The LCG has been tested in a successfully clinical study performed at three medical centers in Israel. The study had showed excellent efficacy, acceptance by children and parents and no side effects.
Proper exercise performance is rewarded with the image of a smiley face, while lazy kids are shown a frown (the potential for third-party hacks is enormous.) Personally, however, we’re going to miss the eye patch — pirate paraphernalia is always fun.
More at OphthoCare…
Flashback: Liquid Crystal Glasses for Amblyopia…