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 General Info about Amblyopia |
| What are the causes of Amblyopia ? |
| What are the symptoms of Amblyopia ? |
| How can we diagnose Amblyopia ? |
| How can Amblyopia be treated ? |
| Frequently asked questions about Amblyopia... |
| Glossary |
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| General Info about Amblyopia |
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Amblyopia is the medical term for poor development of vision in one eye. The word comes from the Greek. [ambly- (dull) + -opia (vision)] Amblyopia is often referred to as "lazy eye." It affects just two to three percent of the population. Central vision does not develop properly, usually in one eye, which is called amblyopic. The eye is anatomically normal, but visual acuity is reduced even with glasses. Amblyopia develops sometime between birth and 8 or 9 years of age, the critical period of time when the visual system develops and matures. Amblyopia causes more visual loss in the age group under 40 than all the injuries and diseases combined.
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| What are the causes of Amblyopia ? |
Amblyopia is caused by an abnormality that interferes with the normal process of seeing. This interference can occur at the level of the eye, at the connections between the eye and the brain, or in the brain itself. The stronger eye becomes dominant and retains good vision, but in the affected eye, the nerve connections between the brain and that eye fail to develop normally, and the brain learns to ignore visual information from that eye. The most common causes of amblyopia are misalignment of the eye or strabismus. Cloudiness of the normally clear visual pathway, due to abnormalities. It can be due to blockage of an eye due to trauma, drooping eyelid, etc., Vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, if uncorrected, can cause amblyopia. Amblyopia can also be caused by trauma to the eye or head, and diseases that affect the eye, such as cataracts. Some psychiatric conditions; and excessive use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs may also be a cause.
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| What are the symptoms of Amblyopia ? |
How to recognize Amblyopia?
Amblyopia generally develops in young children, before the age of six years. Patients with amblyopia lack binocular vision, or stereopsis – the ability to blend the images of both eyes together. Poor vision in one or both eyes. Squinting or closing one eye while reading or watching television. Turning or tilting the head when looking at an object. Other signs include eyestrain and headaches.
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| How can we diagnose Amblyopia ? |
Early check up by the ophthalmologist will help to detect the disease. Detection of the disease is sometimes difficult because one eye has normal vision. Regular check up especially in children is essential to prevent the problem. Regular eye checkup in children below the age of six years can detect and prevent Amblyopia. The most important diagnostic tools are the special visual acuity tests other than the standard letter charts used by the eye doctor. When amblyopia is suspected, the doctor will evaluate the following: vision, eye alignment, eye movements, and fusion (the brain’s ability to blend two images into a single image). |
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| How can Amblyopia be treated ? |
In most cases amblyopia is treatable. However, the success of treatment is dependent upon the initial level of vision, the amount of time the vision has been poor and the age of the child. The earlier amblyopia is detected, the more easily it is treated. The treatment for amblyopia depends on the underlying problem.
Eye exercises:
 Vision therapy exercises for a person with amblyopia forces the brain to see through the amblyopic eye, thus restoring vision.
If amblyopia is due to squint, the condition may be corrected by wearing a patch on one eye.
Eyeglasses:
For children with problems relating to a refractive error, glasses may be necessary to correct vision.
Surgery:
Sometimes surgery is required to realign the muscles of the eye as in strabismus. The surgery corrects the muscle problem which causes strabismus so the eyes can focus together and see properly.
Eye drops may be used in some cases to improve the vision in the weaker eye. Drops are placed in the good eye to blur its vision thereby forcing the weaker eye to work harder.
Problems that impair vision such as cataracts or droopy eyelids often require surgery.
Amblyopia will not go away on its own, and untreated amblyopia can lead to permanent visual problems and poor depth perception.
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| Frequently asked questions about Amblyopia... |
Which specialist should I see if I am suffering from Amblyopia?
You should consult an Ophthalmologist.
When should treatment for amblyopia begin?
The earlier the treatment, the better the opportunity to reverse the vision loss.
What happens if amblyopia goes untreated?
If not treated early enough, an amblyopic eye may never develop good vision and may even become functionally blind.
When Should Vision Be Tested?
A child's eyes are examined at birth and periodically during the first year of life by his/her doctor. It is recommended that all children have their vision checked by their opthalmologist at or before their fourth birthday. |
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| Glossary |
Anterior Chamber - The space in front of the iris and behind the cornea.
Cornea - The outer, transparent, dome-like structure that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber; part of eye's focusing system.
Ophthalmologist - A physician who is qualified and especially trained to diagnose and treat all eye and visual system problems, as well as diagnose general diseases of the body. An ophthalmologist prescribes lenses to improve visual acuity.
Visual Acuity - The sharpness of vision, the ability of the eye to distinguish detail.
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