What is Amblyopia?
Amblyopia is a condition marked by reduced vision in one or rarely both eyes due to improper development of vision in childhood. It is caused by miscommunication between the eyes and the brain rather than an eye disease. The brain favors one eye over the other, leading to improper visual development. This condition is sometimes called a “lazy eye,” though the eye itself looks normal.
Amblyopia typically develops before age 8 and can lead to permanent vision problems if left untreated. About 2-3 out of 100 children are estimated to have amblyopia. Catching and treating it early is key to regaining vision.
Causes of Amblyopia at Our Eye Hospital
There are three main causes of amblyopia we treat at our eye hospital:
Strabismic amblyopia – caused by misaligned eyes or a turn in the eye that prevents proper vision development
Refractive amblyopia – caused by a significant difference in vision/glasses prescription between the two eyes
Deprivation amblyopia – caused by vision obstruction early in childhood such as a cataract or drooping eyelid
Treating Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
The key to treating amblyopia is correcting the underlying cause and forcing the brain to start using the weaker eye through various vision therapies. The earlier treatment begins, the more vision can be recovered.
At our eye hospital, we offer specialized treatment plans for amblyopia patients of all ages. Our expert doctors first pinpoint the exact cause of miscommunication between the eyes and brain. Then, we create a customized treatment plan involving prescription glasses/contacts if needed plus vision therapy exercises.
With consistent vision therapy, we retrain the brain to properly interpret and use vision signals from the amblyopic eye. This leads to improved vision, depth perception, and eye coordination. Though treating amblyopia takes time and effort, it can make a world of difference in regaining vision.
We believe vision therapy for amblyopia can be successful at any age. We empower each of our patients to take charge of their vision health. Contact our eye hospital today to learn more and get a comprehensive eye exam to check for amblyopia.
Facility for amblyopia at our clinic
Complete cycloplegic refraction of all patients
Patching exercise and customized plan for each patient based on severity
Computerized AI generated software for amblyopia exercises
Customized vision therapy plan based on severity of disease and presence of squint.
Convergence exercises including Cat cards, eccentric circles and Brock string etc.
Dedicated fully functional vision therapy and orthoptics room for children.
Question Asked by Patient
Amblyopia, often called “lazy eye,” is a condition where vision of one eye doesn’t develop properly either due to difference of refractive error in 2 eyes or squint or other media abnormalities leading to poor vision that eye.
Amblyopia can be caused by different factors. The most common is a misalignment of the eyes (strabismus) or a significant difference in prescription between the eyes. When one eye is weaker or misaligned, the brain may start ignoring signals from that eye, leading to underdeveloped vision.
Amblyopia may remain unnoticed mainly because we use both eyes for vision. Parents may notice eye strain, squint (misalignment) of eyes or ability to see through one eye on closing either eyes. Most of the times amblyopia is diagnosed during eye check up or medical check up.
Yes, especially when detected early. Common treatment options include:
- Corrective lenses: Glasses may be prescribed to improve vision in the weaker eye.
- Eye patches: Patching the stronger eye to encourage the weaker eye to work and develop better vision.
- Eye exercises: Special exercises may be recommended to improve eye coordination and strength.
The effectiveness of treatment varies. The sooner the diagnosis, better the prognosis. Early detection and intervention usually lead to better results. However, some cases may be more challenging to treat, especially if the condition is detected later.
While amblyopia is more common in childhood, it can sometimes persist into adulthood. Treatment may still be beneficial in certain cases, but the effectiveness may be reduced compared to early intervention.
If left untreated, amblyopia can result in permanent vision impairment in the affected eye. While reduced vision may not affect day to day activity of some, it may still come in the way of getting driving licence, job opportunities where binocular 6/6 is must and certain government exams.
It’s recommended that children have their first comprehensive eye exam at around six months of age. Subsequent exams should occur at age three, before starting school, and regularly thereafter as recommended by an eye care professional. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment.
