Lazy Eye(Amblyopia)
The medical term for lazy eye is amblyopia. This condition occurs when the brain only connects to one eye, causing poor vision in the other eye.
This causes the brain to ignore signals from the weak or lazy eye. This disease can lead to impaired vision and loss of depth perception.
The eye affected by lazy eye does not always look different, although it may “wander” in different directions. The condition usually affects only one eye. However, in some cases, vision in both eyes can be affected.
This condition usually occurs in children and is the main cause of decreased vision in children. However, it is important to understand that this condition is not the same as crossed or turned eyes or what is called strabismus. It’s just that strabismus can cause amblyopia if crossed eyes are not used enough.
If left untreated, temporary or permanent vision loss can occur. This includes loss of depth perception and three-dimensional vision.
Lazy Eye Symptoms (Amblyopia)
Lazy eye symptoms are seen from sufferers who cannot focus well with one of their eyes. Because the disturbed eye will not see objects clearly. The brain cannot receive clear data either, so it will start to ignore the image of the object.
In many cases, a stronger brain and eyes can make up for these deficiencies very well.
Therefore, sufferers do not realize that they have an eye problem. That is why lazy eye is often only diagnosed when a child undergoes a routine eye test.
Symptoms of lazy eye can include:
- Blurred vision.
- Double vision.
- Weak depth perception.
- Rolling the eyes, either up, down, out, or in.
People with this condition need to have their vision checked, especially if they have a family history of strabismus, childhood cataracts, or other eye conditions.
Risk Factors for Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
Risk factors associated with an increased risk of lazy eye include:
- Born premature
- Having a family history of lazy eye
- Developmental disorders.
Causes of Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
Lazy eye develops as a result of abnormal visual experiences early in life. This changes the nerve pathways between the retina at the back of the eye and the brain.
The weaker eye receives fewer visual signals. Eventually, the eyes’ ability to work together decreases, and the brain suppresses or ignores input from the weaker eye.
Anything that causes a child’s vision to become blurry or causes the eyes to squint and change direction can cause this condition. Common causes of this condition include:
- Muscle imbalance (strabismus amblyopia). The most common cause is an imbalance in the muscles that position the eyes. This imbalance can cause the eyes to protrude inward or outward, preventing them from working together.
- Difference in visual acuity between the eyes (refractive amblyopia). A significant difference between the two eyes can cause lazy eye. Often it is due to nearsightedness, but sometimes it is due to farsightedness or an uneven curvature of the eye’s surface (astigmatism).
- Glasses or contact lenses are usually used to correct this refractive problem. In some children, this eye condition is caused by a combination of strabismus and refractive problems.
- Problems with one eye, such as a cloudy area in the lens (cataract), can block clear vision in that eye. Infantile deprivation amblyopia requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. It is often the most severe type of amblyopia.
Lazy Eye (Amblyopia) Diagnosis
Amblyopia diagnosis can be determined from a medical interview, physical examination, and several supporting examinations such as:
- Crowding phenomena test, testing using the Snellen chart.
- Density filter neutral test, a vision test using reduced light intensity.
- Worth’s four dot test, a test to see fusion and stereopsis vision.
Lazy Eye (Amblyopia) Treatment
Effective lazy eye treatment involves treating the underlying eye condition first. Simple early treatment measures that can be taken may include the use of glasses, contact lenses, eye patches, eye drops, or vision therapy.
The earlier the condition is treated, the better the outcome. However, recovery is still possible if amblyopia is diagnosed and treated when you are older.
1. Glasses/contact lenses
If you have amblyopia due to nearsightedness or farsightedness, or have astigmatism in one eye, then corrective glasses or contact lenses may help.
2. Eye patch
Wearing an eye patch over your dominant eye can help strengthen your weaker eye. Your doctor may recommend wearing the patch for 1 to 2 hours a day, depending on how severe your amblyopia is.
Blindfolds will help develop the areas of the brain that control vision.
3. Eye drops
Eye drops can be used once or twice a day to blur the vision in the good eye. Like an eye patch, this treatment encourages you to use your weaker eye more often. This can be an additional alternative to lazy eye treatment.
4. Surgery
If you have crossed eyes or eyes that point in opposite directions, you may need surgery on the eye muscles.
Lazy Eye Complications
Certain complications can occur with lazy eye, including:
- Blindness. If left untreated, sufferers can eventually lose vision in the eye affected by lazy eye. This vision loss is usually permanent.
- Eye Alignment. Strabismus, where the eyes are misaligned, can be permanent.
- Central Vision. If children do not receive treatment, central vision may not develop properly. This can affect their ability to perform certain tasks.
Lazy Eye (Amblyopia) Prevention
Lazy eye cannot be prevented. However, you can stop it from getting worse or causing permanent problems.
The best way to prevent vision loss due to amblyopia is to have regular eye exams.
Make sure your child has a comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age and then again at 3 years of age.
When to See a Doctor?
When you experience symptoms of this eye problem and it starts to interfere with your vision, see an eye doctor immediately for further treatment. Proper treatment can minimize the effects so that treatment can be done faster.