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What is Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia also called “lazy eye” is defined
as unilateral or bilateral decrease of vision
where no organic cause can be identified.
It can be either due to formed vision deprivation
and or misalignment of eyes during childhood.
Amblyopia usually affects one of the eyes,
but sometimes it can also reduce vision
in both eyes. In appropriate cases it is
reversible by therapy, if intervened at
early stage hence the importance of early
eye check up. The problem starts when the
pathways that carry visual senses from one
of the eyes to the brain don't grow strong
enough. The brain then favours the other
eye, and the child’s vision does not develop
normally. Amblyopia is the most common cause
of vision problems in children.
What Causes Amblyopia
Children are born with very poor vision
and the visual acuity improves as the child
grows. Proper development of visual circuit
requires a clear and focused image in both
eyes since birth. If the image isn't clear
in one eye, or if the image isn't the same
in both eyes, the vision pathway doesn’t
develop for that eye.
Blurring of vision for any reason like congenital
cataract, corneal clouding, high refractive
error, drooping eyelid etc and or crossing
of the eyes also known as squint causes
amblyopia. Children with wandering eyes
may also get amblyopia.
How to recognise if your child has amblyopia
The children with amblyopia usually look
normal as they carry out their day to day
activities using the better eye. While
a deviating eye may be easily spotted, amblyopia
is usually difficult to diagnose. Only a
proper eye check up and consultation with
the eye doctor can confirm the diagnosis.
Still there are some signs which can help
you in detecting if your child has amblyopia
or not
- If a small child/infant resists
covering of a particular eye.
- If the child’s eye is turned in,
out, or upwards.
- If he/she closes one eye.
How is Amblyopia Treated
Because there are several causes of amblyopia,
the treatment must match the problem. Glasses
or contact lenses are required for refractive
errors. Surgery may be needed for cataracts,
droopy eyelids or crossed eyes. After the
cause of the amblyopia is treated, the child
is motivated to use the weaker eye most
of the time to match the visual strength
of the other eye. To make the child use
the weaker eye, a patch is put over the
stronger eye. Sometimes, eye drops or special
glasses are used to blur the vision in the
better eye. Patching duration is decided
by the eye specialist depending on the child's
age and vision. The treatment is given till
the child attains age of 8-10 yrs or when
the vision improvement ceases.
Why is early Treatment Important
The visual pathway in the brain is fully
developed by 8-10 yrs. Hence the first few
years of life are the most important for
eyesight. The condition is treatable till
age of 11 years, thereafter patching can
be tried but the outcomes are not very satisfactory.
Hence early detection and intervention is
the main stay of successful amblyopia treatment.
If the amblyopia hasn't been treated by
this age, the child will have poor vision
for life. It won't be possible to fix it
with glasses, patching or any other treatment.
There's a small chance that using an eye
patch for too long can hurt the strong eye.
For this reason, children who are wearing
eye patches should see their doctor at regular
intervals during the treatment.
Amblyopia is a major cause of vision
loss in children and if not treated in time,
the decreased vision is carried on to adulthood
with no chances of improvement.
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