OHIO CREATES FIRST STATEWIDE “LAZY EYE” REGISTRY IN THE UNITED STATES

(Columbus, Ohio) – The State of Ohio has created the first statewide program in the United States for children with amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, in effort to address this widespread public health issue through prevention, good eye health promotion, and early intervention and outreach services. 

“To each new registrant, the Ohio Amblyope Registry provides free information about amblyopia and its causes, free treatment supplies (eye patches) to financially eligible families and free case management services that encourage families to continue to see their eye doctors for treatment and cure of amblyopia,” said Larry Leguire, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Ohio Amblyope Registry.

Amblyopia is reduced vision in one or both eyes not improved by glasses alone and that has no obvious reason for the vision loss.  It is the leading cause of vision loss in children affecting about 4 out of every 100 children, yet often they show no obvious signs of eye trouble.  The most common causes of amblyopia include misaligned eyes (strabismus), a difference in focusing ability between the eyes (anisometropia) and focusing problems such as farsightedness.  When amblyopia is detected at a young age, it can usually be cured and the brain will develop normally saving the child from permanently impaired vision.  “Early detection and treatment is extremely important in the prevention of a life-long disability that can limit employment opportunities and put them at risk for even greater vision as adults as the sight in the healthy eye begins to deteriorate later in life,” Leguire said. 

In addition to free literature, free treatment supplies to eligible families and case management services, the OAR’s Web site, www.OhioAmblyopeRegistry.com, provides extensive resources on current research and treatment of amblyopia as well as a “Find an Eye Doctor” tool that allows anyone to locate a list of local registered eye doctors within Ohio.

Established as part of the Ohio Department of Health’s Save Our Sight Fund for children, the OAR receives funds from a donation box on Ohio license plate renewal forms.  “It is the generosity of Ohio citizens that makes this program possible for all Ohio families of children with amblyopia,” Leguire said.

More information about the OAR may be obtained by calling toll free (877) 808-2422, by writing to Ohio Amblyope Registry, Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205 or by visiting the Web site www.OhioAmblyopeRegistry.com.

 The OAR is funded by the Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Child and Family Health Services Save Our Sight program.  Daily operations are managed by Columbus Children’s Hospital, the Ohio Ophthalmological Society and the Ohio Optometric Association.

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