Did you know that every 3 out of 100 children have a vision problem called amblyopia (or lazy eye)? If your child has been diagnosed with a lazy eye, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Let’s discuss the causes of amblyopia, the symptoms to look for, and the treatment options available.

What is Amblyopia?

Amblyopia is also known as lazy eye. It is a vision problem that occurs when one of the eyes has poorer vision than the other eye. It happens when the brain and the eye don’t operate together properly, and the brain can’t recognize the sight from one eye. The brain becomes increasingly reliant on the other, stronger eye over time, while vision in the weaker eye deteriorates. Amblyopia begins in childhood and is the most common cause of vision loss in children.

Symptoms of Amblyopia

When it comes to the symptoms of amblyopia, they will usually only be noticeable in children. This is because it occurs during the early developmental years when vision is still maturing. The most common symptom of amblyopia is reduced vision in one eye, although both eyes may appear to have normal vision.

Other symptoms can include:

• Eyes that look crossed
• Shutting one eye
• Squinting

It’s imperative to have your child checked by an eye doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms.

Causes of Amblyopia

The reason for amblyopia is often unknown to doctors. However, amblyopia can sometimes be caused by a separate vision condition.

To see normally, the brain relies on nerve inputs from both eyes. However, if an eye problem worsens vision in one eye, the brain may try to compensate. It begins to “disable” signals from the weaker eye, relying solely on the stronger eye.

The following are some eye conditions that can lead to lazy eye:

• Cataract: This produces cloudiness in the eye’s lens, making everything appear fuzzy. While most cataracts affect elderly adults, they can also affect babies and children.
• Strabismus: Normally, the eyes move in lockstep. The eyes of children with strabismus, on the other hand, do not line up. One eye may move inward, outward, upward, or below.
• Refractive errors: Nearsightedness (difficulty seeing objects far away), farsightedness (difficulty seeing things up close), and astigmatism are examples of typical visual impairments (which can cause blurry vision). Typically, these issues can be easily corrected with glasses or contacts. However, if they aren’t corrected, the brain may begin to rely on the eye with better vision.

Contact Us

If you’re concerned your child may have a lazy eye, or if you would like more information on the treatment options available, please contact us today 817-778-4444. We would be happy to help!