Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a type of poor vision that usually affects just one eye but can also affect both eyes in rare cases
. It occurs when there is a breakdown in how the brain and the eye work together, causing the brain to rely more on the stronger eye and neglect the weaker one
. Over time, the weaker eye's vision gets worse
. Amblyopia is the leading cause of decreased vision among children and is present in approximately 2%–4% of the U.S. population
. The condition is sometimes confused with strabismus, which is a misalignment of the eyes
. However, lazy eye is not caused by an misalignment of the eyes but rather by an imbalance in the muscles that position the eyes or a difference in sharpness of vision between the eyes
. Some common causes of amblyopia include strabismus, refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism), cataracts, droopy eyelids (ptosis), and corneal scars
. Symptoms of lazy eye include
:
- An eye that wanders inward or outward
- Eyes that appear to not work together
- Poor depth perception
- Squinting or shutting an eye
- Head tilting
- Abnormal results of vision screening tests
Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent long-term problems with a child's vision
. Treatment options include wearing an eye patch on the stronger eye, putting special eye drops in the stronger eye, or using patching therapy
. If you notice any signs of lazy eye in a child, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider or eye care specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment
