Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is a vision development disorder where one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity—even with prescription glasses or contact lenses. It typically starts in childhood and is caused by the brain favoring one eye over the other. Over time, the weaker eye gets ignored by the brain, leading to poor vision. Early detection and treatment are critical to prevent long-term vision issues.

• Strabismic Amblyopia: Caused by misaligned eyes (crossed or wandering eye); brain ignores input from the misaligned eye.
• Refractive Amblyopia: Due to unequal refractive errors (like significant difference in eyeglass prescription between eyes).
• Deprivation Amblyopia: Occurs when vision is blocked (e.g., cataracts); the brain doesn't receive visual input.

Amblyopia, also known as "lazy eye," occurs when the brain favors one eye over the other

Common causes include:

• Strabismus (misaligned eyes)

• Refractive errors (unequal vision in both eyes)

• Deprivation (due to cataracts or droopy eyelid blocking vision)

If untreated in early childhood, the brain may permanently ignore signals from the weaker eye, affecting vision development.

• Blurred or distorted vision in one eye

• Poor depth perception or difficulty judging distance

• Eye misalignment (one eye may turn inward or outward)

• Squinting, shutting one eye, or head tilting to see better

• Frequent eye strain or headaches

• Trouble with reading or focusing on objects

• Unawareness of vision issues in one eye (especially in children)

• Poor performance in school or clumsiness due to visual challenges

Treatment for amblyopia focuses on improving vision in the weaker eye and helping the brain use both eyes together. The most common method involves wearing an eye patch over the stronger eye to encourage use of the weaker one. Other treatments include special eye drops, glasses or contact lenses, and vision therapy. The earlier the intervention, the better the outcomes—ideally before the age of 7, when the brain’s visual system is still developing.

Surgery is not typically the first line of treatment for amblyopia itself but may be necessary to address underlying causes. For instance, surgery can correct crossed eyes (strabismus) or remove cataracts that interfere with vision. These procedures help align the eyes or clear the visual pathway, making other amblyopia treatments more effective. However, surgery must be combined with therapies like patching to fully restore visual function in the affected eye.