What is Amblyopia? – Lazy Eye, and What You Can Do About It

Your Body

What is Amblyopia? – Lazy Eye, and What You Can Do About It

Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is a visual impairment that can be corrected if detected early. The brain and eye need to work together to allow one to see properly. When the signal between the eye and the brain is reduced for various reasons, vision is affected.

Even with the best correction, eyeglasses, or contact lenses, the visual potential is reduced. The brain will favor the stronger eye, and the weaker eye is considered “lazy.” This vision development disorder tends to begin at infancy or early childhood.

Amblyopia is the most common cause of visual impairment in children, affecting about 3 out of every 100 children.

What causes amblyopia?

Since amblyopia begins in infancy, there are very few signs for parents to look out for other than strabismus (any unusual eye-misalignment or squinting). Children should have their eyes checked regularly to ensure both eyes are functioning and working together as a team.

There are three main causes of amblyopia:  strabismic amblyopia, refractive amblyopia, and disruptive amblyopia.

Strabismic amblyopia – when the eye is misaligned, either wondering inwards or outwards. This causes doubling of vision. The brain would ignore the image from the misaligned eye to maintain single vision, and therefore cause that eye to become lazy.

Refractive amblyopia – when there is a large difference in refractive error (prescription) between the eyes, if uncorrected, the brain will naturally ignore the image from the poor eye and focus with the eye that produces the clearer image.

Disruptive amblyopia – usually when there’s an obstruction preventing a clear signal being transferred from the eye to the brain; for example, a corneal scar or a congenital cataract.

Amblyopia Treatment

As a child’s eye and brain is still plastic at a young age, the goal of amblyopia treatment is to force the weaker eye to work harder and produce better and stronger signals by blocking the signals from the stronger eye.

Patching therapy is often used. An eye patch is used over the stronger eye for a couple hours a day, forcing the weaker “lazy eye” to work a little harder. This exercise is done while doing a near task such as coloring or reading.

Atropine medication is another treatment method. Instilling this medication in the good eye to make it blurry and forcing the weaker “lazy eye” to work harder. This is usually the least favorable treatment since the child’s pupils would be dilated all day and are more light sensitive.

Patching or atropine treatment is recommended only after the underlying cause of amblyopia is determined and addressed first.  For example, for strabismic amblyopia, strabismus surgery is done first; refractive amblyopia requires the refractive error be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.

If you have any concerns about your child’s eyesight and suspect strabismus, please consult with your doctor.

Brenda Li

Written By: Brenda Li

Brenda is an optometrist and owner of Davisville Eye Care. She works with patients of all ages, starting as young as 6 months of age. As a new mom herself, Brenda is looking forward to sharing her personal experiences and professional expertise with fellow parents regarding children’s vision development.

You might also enjoy

What To Do for Painful Constipation in a Child

What To Do for Painful Constipation in a Child

Painful constipation is a prevalent issue that many kids experience. Nowadays, painful constipation in kids is especially frequent because many children overeat processed food, too little fiber, and drink too little water. They are probably following the model of adults who tend to lack a proper diet as well!

How to Ensure Kids Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can creep on your little ones fast. If it does, you want to be able to tell right away and work to rehydrate them. Let’s make sure your dehydration radar is up-to-date so you know what to detect.

What is Myopia? Can Kids Get Myopia from Digital Eyestrain?

What is Myopia? Can Kids Get Myopia from Digital Eyestrain?

While virtual school allows our kids to continue to learn from the safety of their homes, it does raise concerns for digital eyestrain and the development of myopia. Digital eye strain is more common when we are looking at a computer screen several hours a day.

Dr. Dina Kulik - Subscribe to my Blog
Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health blog

The general information provided on the Website is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Do NOT use this Website for medical emergencies.

If you have a medical emergency, call a physician or qualified healthcare provider, or CALL 911 immediately. Under no circumstances should you attempt self-treatment based on anything you have seen or read on this Website. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed and qualified health provider in your jurisdiction concerning any questions you may have regarding any information obtained from this Website and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or to someone else. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.

Success! Check Your Inbox

Success! Check Your Inbox

Success! Check Your Inbox

COVID Toolbox

Success! Check Your Inbox

Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health blog

.

Success! Thanks for Subscribing!

Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health blog

.

Success! Thanks for Subscribing!

Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health - Constipation Management

Success! Check Your Inbox