Amblyopia, sometimes called a lazy eye, occurs when one eye does not develop the same level of vision as the other during childhood.

 

The eye itself may be healthy, but the brain begins to rely more heavily on the stronger eye and gradually pays less attention to the weaker one.

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What Causes Amblyopia?

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Amblyopia usually develops when something interferes with normal visual development during childhood.

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Common causes include:

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• A difference in glasses prescription between the two eyes – one eye may be much more short-sighted, long-sighted or astigmatic than the other;

• An eye turn (strabismus) – the brain may begin to ignore the image from the turning eye to avoid double vision;

• Blurred vision in both eyes – for example, when a significant glasses prescription has not been corrected;

• An obstruction to vision – such as a cataract or other condition that prevents a clear image reaching the eye.

 

What Are the Signs of Amblyopia?

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Amblyopia can be difficult to notice because children do not always realise that one eye sees differently from the other.

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Signs may include:

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• an eye that turns in or out;

• closing or covering one eye;

• poor depth perception;

• difficulty with activities that require accurate hand-eye coordination;

• sitting unusually close to objects;

• difficulty seeing clearly through one eye during an eye test.

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In many children there may be no obvious signs at all, which is why regular vision testing during childhood is important.

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Why Is Early Treatment Important?

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Vision develops rapidly during childhood, so identifying amblyopia early gives the best opportunity to improve the vision in the weaker eye.

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Treatment can still be beneficial in older children, but generally the earlier the underlying cause is identified and treated, the better the opportunity for visual improvement.

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How Is Amblyopia Treated?

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Treatment depends on the cause and the age of the child.

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Options may include:

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• Prescription glasses to provide the clearest possible image to each eye;

• Patching (occlusion) of the stronger eye to encourage greater use of the weaker eye;

• Atropine drops in selected cases to temporarily reduce the focusing ability of the stronger eye;

• Vision Therapy or binocular therapy where appropriate, particularly when binocular vision skills also need to be developed;

• Treatment of an eye turn or underlying eye condition where required.

 

Some children may require a combination of these approaches.

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How Can Eyetreat Help?

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An Orthoptic Assessment can measure the vision in each eye, assess eye alignment and binocular vision, and help determine how amblyopia is affecting your child's visual function.

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We can then work with your child's Optometrist or Ophthalmologist, where appropriate, to help monitor progress and support the treatment plan.