Eye Care > Common Eye Conditions > Amblyopia

Amblyopia

Amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” is a vision problem affecting about 4 percent of children, and cannot be corrected with eyeglasses alone. The condition usually occurs in one eye due to a disruption in typical visual development during infancy or early childhood.

Amblyopia develops when the eyes cannot be used together, leading the brain to learn to ignore the poorer image from the weaker eye. Misaligned eyes, an unequal refractive error and cloudiness in an eye preventing clear focusing are some of the most common causes of amblyopia.

This condition can be inherited, so children with a family history of amblyopia should have their vision checked at early age. Children should have their vision checked if they exhibit various signs and symptoms of amblyopia:

• noticeable favoring of one eye
• tilting of the head
• tendency to close one eye, especially in sunlight

The key to treating amblyopia is early detection, since vision reaches its normal adult level around age 8. After this age, amblyopia may be irreversible and result in permanent vision impairment. Amblyopia can be corrected by patching the strong eye, forcing the brain to rely on the weaker eye for vision.

In addition to patching, other treatment for amblyopia includes:

• eyeglasses to correct focusing errors
• eye drops to blur the vision of the stronger eye
• vision therapy

Remember to schedule regular eye examinations for your child to detect any eye abnormalities in the early stages. Call 952-993-3150 for appointments.