Lazy Eye

Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)

Lazy eye, also called amblyopia, is a vision condition where one eye doesn’t develop proper sight during early childhood. The brain starts to favor the stronger eye, causing the weaker eye to become less effective over time. Even though the eye itself may look normal, it doesn’t see clearly because the brain is not properly receiving signals from it.

There are several causes of lazy eye. It can happen if one eye is significantly more nearsighted or farsighted than the other, or if the eyes are misaligned (a condition called strabismus). Sometimes, a physical problem like a cataract or drooping eyelid blocks light from entering the eye, which can also lead to amblyopia.

Lazy eye usually begins in infancy or early childhood and can be difficult to detect without an eye exam. Many children don’t complain of vision problems because the stronger eye compensates. Signs might include poor depth perception, squinting, tilting the head, or an eye that turns in or out.

Treatment for lazy eye focuses on making the weaker eye stronger and helping both eyes work together. This may include prescription glasses or contact lenses to correct vision, eye patching to block the stronger eye for part of the day, or special eye drops that blur vision in the stronger eye. In some cases, eye exercises or vision therapy is used to improve eye coordination. Surgery may be needed if a structural problem like strabismus or cataract is present.

Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. The best outcomes are usually achieved when treatment starts before the age of 7. However, some older children and even adults may still benefit from therapy. Regular follow-up is essential to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.