Lazy eye (amblyopia) is reduced vision in one eye caused by abnormal visual development early in life. When nerve pathways between the brain and an eye aren’t properly stimulated, the brain favors the other eye. The weaker, or lazy, eye often wanders inward or outward.
Amblyopia generally develops from birth up to age 7 years. It is the leading cause of decreased vision in one eye among children. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent long-term problems with your child’s vision.
Signs and symptoms
When to see a doctor
See your child’s doctor if you notice his or her eye wandering at any time after the first few weeks of life. Sometimes lazy eye is not evident without an eye exam.
A vision check by age 3 by a pediatric ophthalmologist is especially important if there’s a family history of crossed eyes, childhood cataracts or other eye conditions. It’s important for your child to be monitored for recurrence of lazy eye — which can happen in up to 25 percent of children with the condition. If lazy eye recurs, treatment will need to start again. For all children, a complete eye exam is recommended between ages 3 and 5.
Causes
Lazy eye develops because of abnormal visual experience early in life that changes the nerve pathways between a thin layer of tissue (retina) at the back of the eye and the brain. The weaker eye receives fewer visual signals. Eventually, the ability of the eyes to work together decreases, and the brain suppresses or ignores input from the weaker eye.
Anything that blurs a child’s vision or causes the eyes to cross or turn out may result in lazy eye. Common causes of the condition include:
Risk factors
Factors associated with an increased risk of lazy eye include: Premature birth, small size at birth; family history of lazy eye; or developmental disabilities.
Treatment
Treatment includes eye patches, drops, glasses or contact lenses, and sometimes surgery. For most children with lazy eye, proper treatment improves vision within weeks to several months. Treatment might last from six months to two years. Untreated, lazy eye can cause permanent vision loss. Lazy eye is the cause of permanent vision loss in 3 percent of adults.