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 Amblyopia or lazy eye is a condition
that affects 4 in 100 children. It usually has no symptoms
apparent to the child, the parent or the pediatrician. It
is characterized by poor sharpness of vision in one or both
eyes that cannot be corrected with glasses and is not
associated with other eye disease. Sometimes an eye may
turn in or out if amblyopic, but not often. Family history
may play a role in lazy eye or with eyes not working
together. The earlier the condition is detected and treated,
the more successful the outcome may be. If left untreated
past age 6 or 7 it may leave the child permanently blind in
that eye.
Diagnosis of amblyopia is made with a
comprehensive eye examination. Visual acuity and eye
teaming can be assessed as early as age 6 months and risk
factors identified. Undetected high refractive error is
commonly a cause of lazy eye. Treatment usually includes
using an eye patch and wearing eyeglasses. Recent studies
have shown that patching the good eye while doing detailed
near tasks for just 2 hours a day is just as effective as
longer patching times. Atropine drops may be effective as
well, if patching is not tolerated.
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