A lazy eye is often characterized by one eye moving away from the other. This can cause vision problems, often affected the depth perception. It can also make some people feel self-conscious about their appearance. This is caused by a condition called Amblyopia and affects around two to three percent of the population. Let’s look at some of the reasons why this condition might occur and how you can fix it. 

Lazy eye, or Amblyopia, is one of the biggest reasons why children develop lower vision in one eye.

It will develop anywhere from birth to seven years old. There are multiple factors that can cause this condition. For example, it might be caused by Strabismus. This is where the eyes get out of alignment, moving either inwards or outwards. It might also be caused by a cataract, where one part of the eye gets clouded over. These conditions prevent one eye from focusing effectively. There are some factors that determine how likely someone is to develop a lazy eye. First, if a baby is born prematurely or was born small, they might have a higher risk of getting a lazy eye. Also, if there is a history of lazy eyes in the family, children will be at increased risk of developing the condition. Thankfully, there are multiple ways that this condition can be treated. 

Sadly, if left untreated, a lazy eye can lead to a permanent reduction in vision.

However, this doesn’t need to be the case, as they are multiple treatments that ophthalmologists can choose from. First, they might try a technique called patching. This involves a child wearing a patch over the better eye, forcing them to use the lazy eye. This will improve the vision in the lazy eye, as the brain gets used to using it. Usually, they only need to perform patching for two hours a day. Though, some people might need to undergo longer patching periods, if they don’t respond to the treatment. Alternatively, your optometrist may recommend using eye drops to blur the vision in the good eye. This will force them to use the lazy eye to focus on objects. It’s also possible that you might need to wear glasses to correct the problems caused by the lazy eye.

Finally, in some situations, surgery will be required to correct the lazy eye. For example, if the eyes move too far apart, surgery may be used to strengthen the eye muscles. Sadly, most of these solutions need to be implemented when the patient is young to be effective, because of the important connections the brain forms during this period. Research is being undertaken to find effective solutions for adults that have lazy eyes. 

Affecting around two to three percent of the population, Amblyopia or a lazy eye can have a big impact on someone’s life. If left untreated it can cause permanent vision problems. We looked at some of the reasons this can occur and what solutions can correct this issue. So, if someone you know is affected by this condition, seek help today.