What corrective measure is often used in the management of amblyopia?

The management of amblyopia, also known as "lazy eye," often involves the use of methods that encourage the affected eye to improve its visual function. The option involving the use of atropine or patching the stronger eye is particularly effective because it helps to stimulate the weaker eye by depriving the stronger eye of visual input.

Patching the stronger eye forces the brain to process visual information from the amblyopic eye, which can strengthen its function over time. Similarly, atropine drops can temporarily blur the vision in the stronger eye, promoting use of the weaker eye. Both strategies aim to equalize vision between the two eyes, which is essential for proper visual development.

Other options, while they may be part of a broader treatment plan for certain visual disorders, do not target the core issue of amblyopia as directly as patching or using atropine. For instance, using corrective lenses might help with refractive errors but does not directly address the brain's reliance on the stronger eye. Frequent vision therapy can be beneficial but may not specifically treat amblyopia itself without addressing the imbalance between the eyes. Surgery may correct alignment issues but does not directly improve the visual acuity of the amblyopic eye. Thus, patching or using