Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is a condition that causes reduced vision in one or both eyes due to delayed or abnormal visual development during early childhood.

Symptoms of Amblyopia

Amblyopia is often discovered during routine eye examinations, as its symptoms can be difficult to identify. Common signs include:

-         Blurred vision, with unclear visual details

-         Strabismus (misalignment of the eyes)

-         Ptosis (drooping eyelid), especially in the affected eye

-         Prolonged staring at objects

-         Frequent closing of the affected eye, particularly when focusing

-         Tilting the head to one side repeatedly

-         Poor coordination between eye movements

-         Frequent stumbling or bumping into objects due to poor vision

-         Horizontal movement of the affected eye inwards or outwards

Causes and Risk Factors of Amblyopia

Amblyopia occurs due to abnormal visual development in childhood, which alters the neural pathways between the retina and the brain, leading to reduced visual signals from the affected eye.

Common Causes of Amblyopia

-         Refractive error difference between the eyes
Known as refractive amblyopia, it occurs when one eye has a condition such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. The brain relies more on the stronger eye, leading to vision loss in the weaker one.

-         Strabismus
Normally, both eyes move in coordination. In strabismus, eye muscles are imbalanced, causing each eye to look in a different direction.

-         Cataract
The eye lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred or hazy vision, which may result in severe amblyopia.

-         Other causes
Conditions like corneal problems or severe upper eyelid drooping may obstruct vision in one eye.

Risk Factors for Amblyopia

Factors that increase the risk of amblyopia include:

-         Genetics, especially if a parent has amblyopia or cataracts

-         Developmental delays

-         Premature birth

-         Low birth weight

Complications of Amblyopia

Can amblyopia lead to blindness?
Yes. If left untreated, amblyopia can result in permanent vision loss, especially when associated with conditions like cataracts.

Diagnosis of Amblyopia

Eye specialists perform vision tests to assess eye health and identify problems such as strabismus or misaligned eye movement. Eye drops may be used to dilate the pupils for a thorough examination.

Diagnosis methods vary based on the child's age:

-         Children under 3 years old:
The doctor uses a magnifying light to detect cataracts and evaluates the child's ability to follow or focus on moving objects.

-         Children 3 years and older:
Eye charts with letters or images are used to assess vision. One eye is covered during the test to identify the weaker one.

Treatment of Amblyopia

Early treatment leads to better outcomes. Common treatments include:

-         Eyeglasses
To correct conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or blurred vision in the affected eye.

-         Eye patching
Covering the stronger eye for 2–6 hours or more daily to encourage the weaker eye to develop by receiving more visual input.

-         Eye drops (Atropine)
An effective alternative to patching. Atropine blurs vision in the stronger eye, encouraging use of the weaker one.

-         Surgery
In some cases, surgery is required, especially in cases of severe eyelid drooping or cataracts.

Can Amblyopia Be Cured?

Yes, but for full recovery, it must be diagnosed and treated early, ideally before the child turns 7 years old.

Prevention of Amblyopia

Although amblyopia and its underlying causes cannot be fully prevented, routine eye exams are essential. Early diagnosis is key to effective treatment and avoiding complications.