Lazy
eye (amblyopia)
What
is amblyopia?
Amblyopia
(lazy eye) is a condition where one has poor vision because
it has failed to develop properly from an early age. 2 - 5%
of all children have this condition.
What
causes a lazy eye?
In
amblyopia, one eye fails to develop properly. Usually this
is because of an underlying problem, such as a turned eye
or uncorrected refractive error. Over time, the eye loses
its ability to compensate for its underlying problem and the
brain decreases its control and usage of the "lazy eye".
This results in permanently reduced vision in the lazy eye.
What
problems might a person with a lazy eye experience?
A
true lazy eye will result in decreased vision in one eye only.
This will make certain tasks, such as judging distances, and
depth perception difficult.
In
addition, because a person with a lazy eye is relying on only
one eye for almost all vision, they must be very cautious
about the possibility of damage to this eye.
Who
is at risk of developing a lazy eye?
Almost
all lazy eyes develop between birth and age 6. Lazy eyes can
develop relatively quickly, and must receive treatment as
soon as possible to avoid the damage becoming more permanent.
A child will have a much higher risk of developing a lazy
eye if there is a family history of lazy eyes or turned eyes.
How
will I know if I my child has a lazy eye?
In
many cases, it is very difficult to tell if a child has a
lazy eye, because the 'good' eye compensates for the slowly
deteriorating lazy eye. In more severe cases, an obvious turned
eye develops. Other symptoms to look for include:
- Clumsiness
- Poor
vision
- A
difference in eye appearance in photographs taken with
a flash
What
should I do if I think my child might have a lazy eye?
You
should arrange for your baby, infant, or child to have an
eye examination with your local Optometrist or Ophthalmologist.
Lazy eyes can be detected at a very early age, and it is important
not to delay detection.
Eye
examinations in Australia are supported by the Medicare system
for all Australian residents. Referrals are not required for
an eye examination with an Optometrist. Your Optometrist will
advise you if you have developed macula degeneration, and
if so, will be able to refer you to an eye specialist for
treatment.
What
treatment options do I have if my child has a lazy eye?
Most
cases of lazy eye require one or more of:
- Glasses
to bring the eye back to a normal level of focus
- Patching
of the good eye, to encourage the lazy eye to work
- Eye
exercises to stimulate the lazy eye, and make it work
in conjunction with the good eye.
In
many cases, all three techniques are required to correct the
problem, and in some cases, surgery is required to straighten
the eyes.
It
is important that lazy eye is treated whilst the child is
young, and the visual system is still developing. Once the
child reaches the age of 6-8, there is very little that can
be done. If the lazy eye is treated later in life, the brain
cannot interpret the images effectively, and the picture appears
blurred.
Can
lazy eye be cured?
Provided
that the lazy eye is detected early, there is a good prognosis
for lazy eye to be nearly completely fixed.
______________________________________
|
