What is Lazy Eye

Lazy Eye

Lazy eye, also called amblyopia, is the loss or lack of development of
clear vision in only one eye. It is not due to eye health problems and
eyeglasses or contact lenses can't correct the reduced vision caused
by a lazy eye.

Lazy eye develops when the visual image each eye sends to the
brain is so different that the brain cannot combine the two into one
clear picture. Often, the brain tries to correct this problem by
ignoring the image from the weaker or "lazy" eye. When untreated,
this can result in permanent vision loss in the lazy eye.

Amblyopia can result from anything that interferes with the ability
of both eyes to work together. It can be caused by:

l Crossed eyes (strabismus)

l A significant difference in the amount of nearsightedness,
farsightedness, or astigmatism present in each eye

l A physical obstruction of vision in one eye due to a cataract or
eye injury.

Vision in a lazy eye will not improve on its own. But early diagnosis
and treatment increases the chances of regaining normal vision

Treatment for lazy eye largely depends on what caused its
development. In most cases, treatment involves:

l Correcting any nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
with eyeglasses or contact lenses to provide the clearest possible
vision in each eye.

l Covering or blurring the vision in the better eye by "eye
patching" to force use of the lazy eye.

l Doing a series of prescribed eye exercises called vision therapy to
improve eye movement, eye teaming and eye focusing abilities.

Treatment for amblyopia may require a combination of
prescription lenses, eye patching and vision therapy.