What is amblyopia?
Amblyopia (commonly referred to as lazy eye) is the failure of one
eye, although apparently healthy, to develop normal vision. It is
treatable vision disorder if discovered and treated early, usually by
age 4.
What causes amblyopia?
Amblyopia is caused primarily by one of two factors: improper alignment and unequal refractive power. If the child's eyes are not properly aligned (known as strabismus), the brain will receive two different images from the eyes. Perceiving double vision, the brain won't use the image from the weaker eye. This eye, through lack of use, gradually loses its ability to function.
The second primary cause of amblyopia is significantly unequal refractive power in the two eyes. For example, one eye may be very farsighted or nearsighted while the other eye may have normal vision. Again the brain receives different images from the two eyes and suppresses the image from the weaker eye.
What is strabismus?
Strabismus is a term used to describe eyes that are not straight and parallel. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other turns inward, outward, upward or downward. Strabismus is a serious eye condition that requires early medical treatment if it is to be successfully corrected.
What causes strabismus?
Strabismus has many different causes. Some cases are the result of faulty eye muscle balance or attachments, farsightedness, poor vision, birth defects, tumors of the eye or brain or birth injuries. Heredity also is a factor. In addition, there are children whose eyes cross only when they are fatigued or under stress.
How are amblyopia or strabismus detected?
Vision screening by age 4 can successfully detect reduced vision in one or both eyes resulting from amblyopia or strabismus. Amblyopia often gives no clues to the untrained observer.
What are the treatment options for amblyopia and strabismus?
The appropriate course of treatment will be determined by an eye doctor depending on a variety of factors. Treatment may include patching, glasses, surgery, and/or orthoptics (medically designed and supervised eye exercises).
- Patching the stronger good eye will force the weaker eye to work. Depending on the age of the child and the degree of amblyopia, the patch may be used for a few weeks to several months. The most critical factor is wearing the patch faithfully as directed by the doctor.
- Surgery is sometimes necessary if severe strabismus is present. Usually an outpatient procedure, surgery will properly align the eye muscle
attachments.
- Glasses may be necessary for the child with a significant refractive error, although glasses alone will not correct amblyopia.
- Orthoptics are a controversial practice of using eye exercises to teach new vision habits. Again, as with glasses, eye exercises alone will not correct amblyopia. Beware of people who suggest they can cure your child's crossed eyes with exercises alone.
Why is treatment important?
Children will not outgrow either amblyopia or strabismus. The child whose amblyopia or strabismus is left untreated will grow into an adult who has poor or little vision. Early examinations are essential.
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