eye care support

Amblyopia

Amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” is reduced vision in one eye because the brain favours the clearer image from the other.

The weaker eye doesn’t develop normal vision, and glasses alone usually can’t correct it.

When it comes to amblyopia developing, a child’s visual system develops rapidly in early life and if one eye sends a blurred or misaligned image, the brain suppresses it and relies on the stronger eye.

Without early correction, the weaker eye may never develop normal vision.

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What are the most common causes?

Strabismus (eye turn)

When the eyes are misaligned, the brain suppresses the image from the turned eye to avoid double vision, which can lead to amblyopia.

Refractive errors (unequal vision)

One eye may be significantly more short-sighted, long-sighted or have more astigmatism than the other.

Visual deprivation

Anything that blocks light from entering the eye during early development can cause amblyopia.

Developmental conditions

Though less common, rare developmental conditions affecting the visual pathway can be a contributing factor.

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Amblyopia FAQs

Amblyopia affects up to four per cent of the population.

Treatment depends on the cause and may include:

  • Glasses or contact lenses
  • Vision therapy
  • Patching or blurring the stronger eye to encourage use of the weaker eye

Early detection gives the best chance of improving vision.

A child may:

  • Favour one eye
  • Have an eye turn
  • Bump into objects on one side

Because the stronger eye compensates, amblyopia often goes unnoticed. A comprehensive eye examination is the only reliable way to diagnose it.