Amblyopia
Amblyopia is poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight during early childhood. It is sometimes called "lazy eye." When one eye develops good vision while the other does not, the eye with poorer vision is called amblyopic. Usually, only one eye is affected by amblyopia. The condition is common, affecting approximately 2 or 3 out of every 100 people. The best time to correct amblyopia is during infancy or early childhood.

What Causes Amblyopia?
• Strabismus (misaligned eyes). Amblyopia occurs most commonly with misaligned or crossed eyes. The crossed eye "turns off" to avoid double vision and the child uses only the better eye.
• Unequal focus (refractive error). Refractive errors are eye conditions that are corrected by wearing glasses. Amblyopia occurs when one eye is out of focus because it is more nearsighted, farsighted or astigmatic than the other. The unfocused (blurred) eye "turns off" and becomes amblyopic. The eyes can look normal but one eye has poor vision. This is the most difficult type of amblyopia to detect and requires careful measurement of vision.
• Cloudiness in the normally clear eye tissues. An eye disease such as a needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points. Acupuncture stimulates a regulatory system which affects the body separately from such systems as the nervous, hormonal, and biochemical systems. This regulatory system is comprised of predictable pathways and points which have a higher electrical conductivity than the surrounding tissues. When these points are stimulated, they send an electrical signal through the pathways which intensifies the healing process and decreases pain.

How does acupuncture work?
• Acupuncture works by stimulating the various points in the body which are pathways for "Qi" (life energy, vital energy) to flow. There are different mechanisms of action of acupuncture. Commonly used explanations are: Acupuncture alters body chemicals, including stimulation of endorphins.
• Acupuncture sensations effect nerves and cause beneficial reflex response.
• Acupuncture affects the bodies natural electro-magnetic fields.
Research has demonstrated the movement of radioactive tracers along pathways, which match Chinese acupuncture meridians. Tests have shown acupuncture stimulates endorphin release in humans and animals, and improves immune system functioning.

What are the indications?
Dr. Willie Y.W. Chen is the first and only board certified ophthalmologist in Georgia to perform ocular acupuncture to treat some refractory eye conditions including, severe allergic conjunctivitis, migraine headache, cranial nerve palsy, hemifacial spasms, dry eye and eye pain. Those acupuncture points can be located in the hands, legs, facel and ears. Each session of treatment requires at least 30 minutes stay in the office and an average of 8-10 treatments might be necessary to control specific problem. The response rate is usually around 80- 90% and the disease can be cured without further medical or surgical intervention. The complications of acupuncture is minimal (bleeding and infection).