What is Amblyopia/ “Lazy eye”?

Decreased vision in one or both eyes due to insufficient use in infancy or childhood
Visual acuity in either eye worse is 6/12 or there is more than 2-line difference in visual acuity between the 2 eyes

How does amblyopia/ “Lazy eye” develop?

During the critical period of early childhood from birth to six years of age, anything that interferes with clear vision in either eye can result in amblyopia.
Vision loss occurs because nerve pathways between the brain and the eye aren’t properly stimulated
As a result, the brain favours one eye, usually due to poor vision in the other eye
The brain doesn’t learn to see clearly with the amblyopic eye, and even If the visual problem of the eye is corrected later in life, the image interpreted by the brain may still be unclear.

Strabismus or squint
Vision deprivation
- Ptosis/droopy eyelid
- Cataract
Refractive error ((nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism)
- Large refractive error or unequal amount of refractive error between both eyes

The end result of all forms of amblyopia is reduced vision in the affected eye(s).

eye examination for a child

The only way to detect a lazy eye is to have sight tests regularly throughout childhood
Children should be checked at birth, at six months and annually thereafter.
A lazy eye can go undetected if only one eye is affected.

With early diagnosis and treatment, the sight in the lazy eye can be restored
The earlier the treatment, the better the chance to correct the vision loss
Amblyopia is most successfully treated up to 7 years of age, but there may be SOME improvement with amblyopia therapy up to 14 years of age

If necessary, children with refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism) can wear glasses
Children with cataracts, squints or other conditions that can reduce vision are usually treated promptly
Patching of the better seeing eye allows the weak eye to get stronger. This could be a disposable adhesive patch or a patch held in place with elastic. The more complete the blockage of light from the eye, the more effective the treatment.
Successful patching requires persistence and constant encouragement from family members, teachers, neighbours etc.
Explain clearly to your child the reason behind treatment as well as the benefits it has to their vision.
Children may refuse initially, but by encouraging or providing a reward to the child for keeping the patch on for the prescribed time period, they will eventually learn not to remove the patch
“Penalize” or blur the stronger (good) eye with atropine eye drops temporally may work for children who persistently resist patching

eye patches for amblyopia for children

To schedule an appointment or to know more about amblyopia treatment for your child, please call 6777 6058. Alternatively please send us an enquiry.