Amblyopia, or “lazy eye”, occurs when normal visual development is disrupted in early childhood, causing reduced vision in one or occasionally both eyes that cannot be fully corrected with glasses alone. The problem lies in how the brain processes input from the affected eye.
Main Causes
Common causes include a constant squint (strabismic amblyopia), unequal refractive error between the eyes (anisometropic amblyopia), and visual deprivation from cataract, droopy lid, or corneal opacity. The brain suppresses the clearer image from the weaker eye, leading to underdevelopment of its visual pathway.
- Early onset and longer duration of abnormal vision increase severity
- Uncorrected high long-sight or astigmatism can cause bilateral amblyopia
- Timely detection and treatment during the critical period can improve outcomes
- After visual pathways mature, amblyopia becomes much harder to reverse
Who Is at Risk?
Children with a family history of squint or amblyopia, premature birth, or significant refractive errors are at higher risk. Any child with a noticeable eye turn, unequal reflexes, or concern about visual behaviour should be assessed.
- Screening programmes aim to detect amblyopia between ages 3 and 5
- Treatment typically involves glasses, patching or blurring of the stronger eye, and addressing underlying causes
- Parents play a crucial role in supporting patching adherence
- Early referral to a paediatric eye service is important when problems are suspected
