Amblyopia

Amblyopia is a childhood problem that happens when one eye is weaker than the other. The brain chooses to take in images from the stronger eye and ignore images from the weaker eye. This means that your child uses the strong eye more than the weak eye. If the weak eye doesn't have to work, it isn't able to develop good vision. This leads to poor vision in the weaker eye.

Amblyopia usually affects only one eye.

The problem starts between birth and about age 7. Your child may not even know that they are using only one eye. Ignoring the images from the weak eye is an automatic response. Your child has no control over it.

Early treatment usually can reverse amblyopia. The younger your child is when treatment starts, the more likely your child is to have good vision.

Amblyopia is sometimes called "lazy eye."

In most cases, amblyopia does not cause symptoms. But your child may:

• Have an eye that wanders or does not move with the other eye.
• Have eyes that do not move in the same direction or fix on the same point.
• Cry or complain when one eye is covered.
• Squint or tilt the head to look at something.
• Have an upper eyelid that droops.

Your child's doctor will do an eye exam. If the exam shows that your child has poor vision in one eye, the doctor may diagnose amblyopia after ruling out other causes.

To help make the diagnosis, the doctor will ask about symptoms, any family members who have had vision problems, other possible risk factors such as low birth weight, and whether your child has trouble reading, seeing the board in school, or watching TV.

Experts recommend that children have regular eye exams. Vision tests may also be done to look for amblyopia. If you have concerns about your child's eyes or vision, call your child's doctor, or take your child to an eye doctor.

For amblyopia to be treated, your child must use the weak eye. This will force the eye to get stronger. Over time this corrects the vision in the weak eye.

Your doctor may suggest:

• Blocking the strong eye with an eye patch.
• Blurring the strong eye with eyedrops or glasses.

Your child may have to wear the patch or glasses most of the day or for just part of each day. Treatment may last for a few weeks or months. Severe cases may take longer.

If another problem is causing the amblyopia, such as a cataract, it also needs to be treated.

Treatment is best started before age 6 and should begin before your child's vision has fully developed, around age 9 or 10.

After treatment ends, be sure to set up follow-up eye exams for your child. Amblyopia can return even after successful treatment.

• Follow directions for wearing an eye patch or glasses or using eyedrops. Your doctor will tell you how many hours a day your child should wear the patch or glasses or how often to use eyedrops.
• Give your child lots of love and support during treatment. Your child may be teased at school for wearing a patch or glasses. Remind your child how important the patch or glasses are to help your child's vision.
• Explain the treatment to your child's teachers. Then they can help support your child.