WHAT IS AMBLYOPIA?
Amblyopia is commonly known as a lazy eye. It is related to an eye with poor vision that didn’t receive adequate use during early childhood. The decrease in vision results when one or both eyes send a blurry image to the brain. The brain then “learns” to only see blurry with that eye, thus making it a weaker eye. Amblyopia is caused by either a strabismus, a deprivation or from refractive error. Eyeglasses, patching, therapeutic drops, vision therapy and surgery are all viable options in treating amblyopia. Early detection and treatment of amblyopia is an important strategy against incapacitating vision loss.
All children should have a complete eye exam at least once between ages 3 and 5. Typically, children who get treated before age of 5 will almost recover complete vision, although they may have some problems with depth perception. Delaying treatment can result in permanent vision problems; however after the age of 10 only partial recovery of vision can be restored.
