Amblyopia
What is Amblyopia ?
Amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye,” is a vision development disorder where one eye has reduced vision due to a disconnect between the eye and brain. It typically develops during early childhood when one eye sends weaker or incorrect signals to the brain. Early detection and treatment through eye patches, glasses, or vision therapy is crucial for better outcomes.
Symptoms
If your child has any of the following symptoms, you should consult with a doctor as early as possible.
Stumbling while Walking
Tilting of The Head While Looking
Uncoordinated Eye Movements
Poor Eye-body Coordination
Causes of Amblyopia or Lazy Eye
- The most common cause of lazy eye is an imbalance in the muscles that position the eyes. This imbalance prevents eyes from working together.
- If there is a difference in vision conditions between the eyes of a child due to refractive error or astigmatism, then the child may develop amblyopia.
- Due to congenital cataract, damage to eye from trauma, family history of amblyopia, etc. amblyopia may develop in the child.
Treatment Option
It’s important to start treatment for lazy eye as soon as possible in childhood
- The doctor may suggest eye exercises for the treatment of lazy eye depending on the condition of the eye.
- If the patient suffers from amblyopia due to refractive errors, the doctor may suggest eyeglasses.
Risk Factors
Factors associated with an increased
risk of lazy eye include:
- Premature birth
- Small size of baby at birth
- Family history of lazy eye
- Developmental disability in the child
What Happens If Left Untreated
If the patient is left untreated:
- if the patient is left untreated then squinting of
eyes becomes permanent - Squinting of eyes may become permanent.