Amblyopia

Amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye,” is a developmental vision disorder that typically emerges in childhood where one eye has reduced vision despite wearing corrective lenses. The condition occurs when the brain consistently favors one eye over the other, causing the weaker eye to have poor visual acuity. Typically developing in children under seven, amblyopia can result from various underlying issues such as differences in refractive errors between the eyes, misalignment of the eyes (strabismus), or physical blockage of vision in one eye from a droopy eyelid or congenital cataract.

Diagnosis involves eye examinations by a pediatric ophthalmologist who assess eye alignment and underlying causes. Treatment is most effective when started early and can include corrective eyeglasses, eye patches to strengthen the weaker eye by forcing it to work, vision therapy exercises, or in some cases, surgical intervention. If left untreated, amblyopia can lead to permanent vision impairment, making early detection and intervention crucial for preserving long-term visual health.