“Lazy Eye” is a condition commonly found in children, which most parents may not notice or may not even be aware of… This condition can be severe enough to cause your child to lose their vision completely if not treated properly and in a timely manner.
Getting to Know “Lazy Eye”
Lazy eye (Amblyopia or Lazy eye) is a condition where a child has abnormal vision levels, meaning one eye sees poorly or less clearly than the other. The eye with poorer vision results from a loss of visual development, which we call lazy eye. If treated correctly and promptly, it can be cured.
What Causes Lazy Eye?
Let’s look at the causes that can lead to lazy eye in children.
- Significant difference in refractive errors
Children with a large difference in refractive errors between the two eyes receive unequal light through the lenses. This causes the brain to respond more to the eye receiving better light, while the other eye is used less and develops less, increasing the risk of lazy eye.
- Strabismus (Crossed or Wandering Eye)
Occurs when the two eyes are not aligned. Normally, the eyes look straight and combine images into one. If one eye looks straight while the other looks outward, upward, or downward, it is due to abnormal eye muscles causing double vision. People with strabismus tend to use the eye that looks straight to avoid double vision. If left untreated, it may affect visual development.
- Obstruction of vision
This is a condition where something blocks the eye’s vision, preventing light from focusing on the retina, resulting in blurry images. Examples include cataracts, congenital droopy eyelids, or corneal scars.
Parents should observe their child’s visual development from birth to detect any abnormalities. If any issues are found, they should promptly take their child to see a doctor.
Children with “lazy eye” must receive treatment before the age of 7 for the best results, as this is the period when the eyes and the part of the brain controlling vision develop.
Treatment of Lazy Eye
The key principle in treating lazy eye is to address the underlying cause as quickly as possible and stimulate the brain to learn to see, which encourages the weaker eye to be used more.
- Wearing glasses
This corrects significant differences in refractive errors between the two eyes. Wearing glasses helps to see clear images and develops both eyes to work equally and normally.
- Eye patching
This involves covering the stronger eye to stimulate the weaker eye to develop until both eyes have equal vision. Ophthalmologists will plan treatment and evaluate progress periodically, as the condition varies with the child’s age.
- Surgery
For children with strabismus, cataracts, or droopy eyelids, which are causes of lazy eye, surgery on the eye muscles is required to restore more normal eye function.
Lazy Eye Can Be Prevented… It’s Not as Scary as You Think
A simple way to prevent your child from developing lazy eye is “eye examinations by an ophthalmologist” who specializes in pediatric eye care. Children should have their eyes checked starting at age 2 and regularly at least once a year. Early detection allows for timely treatment.
Parents must take special care of their child’s “eyes”
Because the earlier “lazy eye” is detected and treated, the better the chance of recovery
Don’t let anything destroy your child’s “eyes,” the “apple of your eye.”
