The Globes [online] is reporting that an Israeli company OphthoCare yesterday obtained FDA approval to market in the US its electronic eyeglasses, for treating lazy eye syndrome (amblyopia) in children. NIH acknowledges that amblyopia is the most common cause of visual impairment during childhood (see here).
The technology:
The LCG (Liquid Crystal Glasses) comprise of electronic shutter that is incorporated into the optical refractive lens. It is controlled by preprogrammed microchip and is activated over the sound eye in short intervals. These CLOSE – OPEN sessions exercise the weak eye and enforce its use.
Exercising of the weak eye is performed all day long while glasses are worn. It strengthens the amblyopic eye, improves the visual acuity and enhance binocular vision as well.
The fact that the sound eye is occluded for short periods only makes it very convenient to the child and easily adopted by him.
Exercise modality is adjustable via software and actual exercise time is recorded automatically in the microchip providing feedback to a “compliance unit” and presenting it to child and parents. This information is also valuable to the ophthalmologist and is important part for further treatment prescription.
More at the OphthoCare website…