Amblyopia is decreased vision in one or both eyes due to abnormal visual development. When the vision of an eye is blocked the brain favours one eye over the other. Amblyopia is the most common cause of monocular blindness, partial or complete blindness in one eye. Amblyopia is a common problem in babies and young children. Amblyopia can develop from other eye and vision problems.
Causes of Amblyopia or Lazy Eyes: These conditions include strabismus wherein there is a major difference in refractive error between the two eyes from near sightedness, far sightedness, or astigmatism. Less common causes of amblyopia include ptosis (drooping) of one eyelid, disease of the cornea (preventing light from entering the eye), congenital cataract and injury to the eye of a young child.
Treatment options includes prescription glasses or contact lenses, eye patch , eye drops , vision therapy / eye exercises or surgery which is decided after thorough evaluation by the Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismologist.
