AMBLYOPIA

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) Amblyopia, is a condition in which lowered visual acuity exists –even with the best corrective lenses- without an obvious cause.
Amblyopia is reduced vision in an eye that has not received adequate use during early childhood.

A child having a large amount of uncorrected astigmatism may develop amblyopia in both eyes because neither eye experiences a perfectly sharp retinal image.

Vision often gradually improves if corrective lenses are prescribed during the early school years.

Types of Amblyopia

Amblyopia can be congenital or can occur as a result of a wide variety of conditions, including various forms of toxicity and extreme malnutrition. This type is known as organic amblyopia

Refractive amblyopia is another form that can occur as a result of uncorrected astigmatism

What is astigmatism

Astigmatism results primarily from an irregular shape of the front surface of the cornea, the transparent “window” at the front of the eye resulting in the eye’s optical system not being able to form a point image of a point object.

Treatment

When should treatment for amblyopia begin?

• The earlier the treatment, the better the opportunity to reverse the vision loss.
• Glasses are commonly prescribed to improve focusing of the eyes.
• Vision often gradually improves if corrective lenses are prescribed during the early school years.

What happens if amblyopia goes untreated?

• If not treated early enough, an amblyopic eye may never develop good vision and may even become functionally blind.