Expert Voices - American Academy of Ophthalmology

What is Amblyopia?
Causes and Symptoms of Amblyopia
Treatment of Amblyopia

What is Amblyopia?

Amblyopia is poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight in early childhood. It is sometimes called "lazy eye." When one eye develops good vision while the other does not, the eye with poorer vision is called amblyopic. Usually, only one eye is affected. The condition is common, affecting approximately 2 or 3 out of every 100 people. Amblyopia can be corrected if treated during infancy or early childhood. Parents must be alert to this visual threat if their child is to see properly.

Most physicians test vision as part of a child's medical examination. They may refer a child to an ophthalmologist if there is difficulty in measuring vision or any sign of amblyopia and related conditions. Children should have their vision checked by their pediatrician, family physician or ophthalmologist at or before age four. If there is a family history of misaligned eyes, childhood cataracts or other family history of serious eye disease, vision can be checked even earlier.

The Development of Normal Vision:

Although newborn infants are able to see, vision continues to improve over the first months of life. During early childhood, vision continues to develop with proper use of the eyes. However, if the eyes are not used to capacity, visual abilities decrease. After the first nine years of life, the development of the visual system is complete and cannot be changed.

The development of equal vision in both eyes is necessary for normal vision. Should the vision in one eye be lost later in life from an accident or illness, it is essential that the other eye have normal vision. Amblyopia must, therefore, be detected and treated as early as possible.

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