What is a Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)?

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a visual disorder caused by abnormal vision development, usually in early childhood. It occurs when the neurons responsible for processing vision become weaker because one eye is not used as much as the other, thus not allowing the brain to process the images it sees properly. Amblyopia can result in one eye appearing lazier than the other.

A lazy eye can lead to blurred, fuzzy vision in the affected eye, an eye turn (strabismus), or a reduced peripheral vision in the affected eye. If untreated, lazy eye can cause low vision and even permanent vision loss.

What Causes a Lazy Eye?

The most common cause of a lazy eye is a condition called strabismus (when the eyes are misaligned and do not look in the same direction). When the eyes are not aligned, the brain may not be able to transfer the images from the misaligned eye to the visual cortex, resulting in poor vision in that eye. Other causes can include structural defects of the eye, such as crossed-eyed syndrome, astigmatism, cataract, birth trauma, and refractive errors.

Treating Lazy Eye

The good news is that lazy eye can be treated, and the earlier it is treated, the better the outcome. Treatments vary depending on the cause of the lazy eye and may include eye exercises, corrective glasses, contact lenses, vision therapy, eye patches, or surgery.

In some cases, surgery may be the best option to correct a structural problem of the eye or to correct a misaligned eye so that the brain can process the images it receives.

In summary, lazy eye (Amblyopia) is a visual disorder caused by abnormal vision development, usually in early childhood. The most common cause is a condition called strabismus (when the eyes are misaligned and do not look in the same direction). Treatment may include eye exercises, corrective glasses, contact lenses, vision therapy, eye patches, or surgery. Early treatment provides the best outcome.