Amblyopia (Lazy eye)
- Article
- 2021-01-31
Amblyopia (also called lazy eye) is a type of poor vision that affects only one eye. It develops when there is a malfunction in the way the brain and eye work together, and the brain cannot recognize the vision of one eye. Over time, the brain increasingly relies on the other, stronger eye, while vision in the weaker eye gets worse. It's called "lazy eye" because the stronger eye works better. But people with amblyopia are not lazy and cannot control the way their eyes work. Amblyopia starts in childhood and is the most common cause of vision loss in children. A maximum of 3 in 100 children have it. The good news is that early treatment works well and usually prevents long-term vision problems. Symptoms of amblyopia can be difficult to notice. Children with amblyopia can have a poor perception of depth - they have a hard time telling how close or far something is. Parents may also notice signs that their child is having trouble seeing clearly, such as: In many cases, parents are unaware that their child has amblyopia until a doctor makes the diagnosis during an eye exam. It is therefore important that all children between the ages of 3 and 5 undergo a visual screening at least once. Some children are born with amblyopia and others develop it later in childhood. Amblyopia is more likely in children who: In many cases, doctors don't know the cause of amblyopia. But sometimes another vision problem can lead to amblyopia. Normally, the brain uses nerve signals from both eyes to see. But if an eye condition worsens vision in 1 eye, the brain may try to work around it. It starts "turning off" signals from the weaker eye and relies only on the stronger eye. Some eye conditions that can lead to amblyopia include: As part of a normal vision screening , your child's doctor will look for signs of amblyopia. All children 3 to 5 years old should have their eyesight checked at least once. If there is a vision problem causing amblyopia, the doctor can treat it first. For example, doctors may recommend glasses or contact lenses (for children who are nearsighted or farsighted) or surgery (for children with cataracts). The next step is to retrain the brain and force it to use the weaker eye. The more the brain uses it, the stronger it gets. Treatments include: Apply special eye drops to the stronger eye. A once-daily drop of the drug atropine can temporarily blur nearby vision, forcing the brain to use the other eye. For some children, this treatment works just as well as an eye patch, and some parents find it easier to use (for example, because young children are trying to remove eye patches). After your child starts treatment, vision may get better within a few weeks. But it will likely take months to get the best results. After that, your child may need to use these treatments from time to time to prevent amblyopia from returning. It's important to treat children with amblyopia early - the sooner the better. Children who grow up without treatment can have lifelong vision problems. Amblyopia treatment is usually less effective in adults than in children. What is Amblyopia?
What are the symptoms of amblyopia?
Is my child at risk for amblyopia?
What Causes Amblyopia?
How will my child's doctor check for amblyopia?
What is the treatment for amblyopia?
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