Amblyopia or Lazy Eye
Amblyopia or lazy eye, is a condition in which the vision in one eye is reduced. It’s normally caused by a misalignment in the eyes or a difference in the images between the 2 eyes. When the brain receives a clear image and a blurred one,or sees double, it chooses to “shut off” the blurred eye.
When one eye needs a stronger prescription then the other and is uncorrected, the brain receives a clear image and a blurred image . This causes suppression of the blurred one and over time the vision in that eye deteriorates. It can become impossible to correct if not treated in a young child.
When an eye is turned the brain receives images that are not on top of each other, which causes double vision. To keep from seeing double, one eye is suppressed and over time the vision in that eye deteriorates.
Amblyopia is treated by the use of surgery ( in the case of an eye turn), glasses, and vision therapy which usually involves patching the better eye. It’s easiest treated when done as early as possible and is difficult to treat after about age 10.
It is important to examine young children’s eyes to be certain that they’re seeing equally out of each eye and that both eyes are working together.