Amblyopia, or “lazy eye”, occurs when one or occasionally both eyes fail to develop normal visual acuity in early childhood despite a structurally healthy eye. Symptoms reflect reduced vision and poor binocular function.
Underlying Causes
Main causes include unequal refractive error between the eyes (anisometropia), constant strabismus where one eye is turned, and visual deprivation from cataract, droopy lid, or other obstruction. The brain suppresses input from the affected eye to avoid double vision, weakening its visual connections.
- Children may not report symptoms because the better eye compensates
- Signs include squinting, head turning, or poor performance on vision screening
- Late diagnosis reduces the chance of full recovery
- Untreated amblyopia leads to permanent reduction in vision in the affected eye
Symptom Recognition
Parents or teachers may notice clumsiness, eye turning, or difficulty with tasks requiring depth perception. Early eye examinations are crucial.
- Treatment involves correcting refractive error, encouraging use of the weaker eye with patching or drops, and managing any strabismus
- Therapy is most effective when started before around seven to eight years of age
- Lifelong protection of the better eye is important if amblyopia persists
- Regular follow‑up monitors response and adjusts treatment
