What a lazy eye is
Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is one of the main causes of reduced vision. It develops from birth and through the early years of life, so early diagnosis and treatment are strongly recommended to manage or prevent its long-term effect on vision.
In most cases amblyopia develops when one eye fails to focus and the brain comes to rely only on the eye with better vision. The condition is often missed or stays undetected until a comprehensive eye test.
Symptoms
If you notice at least two of the following, arrange an appointment with an eye specialist:
- Frequently bumping into things on one side
- Eyes that do not seem to work together, with one nearsighted and the other farsighted
- Difficulty reading, especially text-heavy pages
- One eye turning inward or outward
- Head tilted to one side
- Frequent squinting
Complications
Left untreated, amblyopia can cause permanent vision loss, and in severe cases blindness in the affected eye. See an eye doctor without delay.
Causes
A lazy eye is caused by abnormal visual development affecting the pathway that carries signals from the retina to the brain. One eye sends a poor signal, and the brain gradually learns to ignore that eye. The result is reduced vision and, often, an eye that wanders inward or outward. Common underlying conditions include:
- Strabismic amblyopia: an eye muscle imbalance that makes the eyes look in different directions
- Refractive amblyopia: one eye has trouble seeing far away or up close, or has astigmatism
- Cataract: a cloudy lens
- Other causes of poor vision, such as a scar on the cornea
Treatment options
Treatment for a lazy eye can include glasses, patching and perceptual learning stimulation, a current approach for lazy eye. Treatment is more effective when it is started at an early age, but there are several ways to treat the condition. Our doctors recommend from the following options.
Patching
The good eye is covered for a recommended number of hours each day, as part of a daily routine. The number of hours is decided after an assessment, because it differs for each patient. A lazy eye that results from the need for glasses may need both glasses and patching.
Corrective glasses
In some cases glasses are prescribed in addition to patching. This helps with eye crossing, myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).
Perceptual learning stimulation
Recent studies show that showing specific patterns to the lazy eye, or to both eyes, helps the connection between the eyes and the brain develop more accurately, improving visual acuity, the ability to distinguish shapes. This is done through daily exercises with computer software designed for this purpose.
What to expect
It is not possible to predict how long treatment will take or how much vision will be regained. The cause of the condition and the age of the patient affect how quickly results appear, and it can take a year or more to reach the full improvement that is possible in a given case. Some patients do not regain full vision in the affected eye.
Treatment for adults
It is a misconception that amblyopia can only be treated in children. Treatment is more effective in the early years of development, but that does not mean there is no way to treat the condition in adults. Recent studies show that the brain can adapt and update its circuitry in response to new experiences and habits. With professional help, treatment can be attempted at any age, although the outcome varies.
Lazy eye treatment at Spanish Eye Clinic
Spanish Eye Clinic in Dubai offers lazy eye assessment and treatment with current equipment. We explain the condition to patients and parents and set out the treatment options that apply, so you can choose with a clear picture of what each involves. If you have questions about our lazy eye treatments or are noticing any of the symptoms above, book an appointment or contact our team.
Frequently asked questions
- When is it too late to treat a lazy eye?
- When vision in the eye has been permanently lost, the condition is difficult to treat and the doctor may suggest more complex medical treatment or surgery. No one can predict how much vision can be regained with therapy. The time needed depends on the severity and cause of the condition and on the age of the patient.
- Does a lazy eye get worse with age?
- Yes, when it is left untreated. The earlier the problem is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of improving vision.