Learn About Amblyopia

What is the definition of Amblyopia?

Amblyopia is the loss of the ability to see clearly through one eye. It is also called "lazy eye." It is the most common cause of vision problems in children.

What are the alternative names for Amblyopia?

Lazy eye; Vision loss - amblyopia

What are the causes of Amblyopia?

Amblyopia occurs when the nerve pathway from one eye to the brain does not develop during childhood. This problem develops because the abnormal eye sends the wrong image to the brain. This is the case in strabismus (crossed eyes). In other eye problems, a blurred image is sent to the brain. This confuses the brain, and the brain may learn to ignore the image from the weaker eye.

Strabismus is the most common cause of amblyopia. Having a family member with strabismus, increases your chance of having strabismus.

The term "lazy eye" refers to amblyopia, which often occurs along with strabismus. However, amblyopia can occur due to something other than strabismus. Also, people can have strabismus without amblyopia.

Other causes include:

  • Childhood cataracts
  • Farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism, especially if it is greater in one eye

In strabismus, the only problem with the eye itself is that it is pointed in the wrong direction. If poor vision is caused by a problem with the eyeball, such as cataracts, amblyopia will still need to be treated, even if the cataracts are removed. Amblyopia may not develop if both eyes have equally poor vision.

What are the symptoms of Amblyopia?

Symptoms of the condition include:

  • Eyes that turn in or out
  • Eyes that do not appear to work together
  • Inability to judge depth correctly
  • Poor vision in one eye
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What are the current treatments for Amblyopia?

The first step will be to correct any eye condition that is causing poor vision in the amblyopic eye (such as cataracts).

Children with a refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) will need glasses.

Next, a patch is placed on the normal eye. This forces the brain to recognize the image from the eye with amblyopia. Sometimes, drops are used to blur the vision of the normal eye instead of putting a patch on it.

Newer treatment techniques use digital computer technology, to show a slightly different image to each eye. Over time, the vision between the eyes becomes equalized.

Children whose vision will not fully recover, and those with only one good eye due to any disorder should wear glasses. These glasses should be shatter- and scratch-resistant.

Who are the top Amblyopia Local Doctors?
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
104 Simpson St, 
Greenville, SC 
 2.9 mi

Mitchell Wolin is an Ophthalmologist in Greenville, South Carolina. Dr. Wolin and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Amblyopia. His top areas of expertise are Strabismus, Esotropia, Facial Paralysis, and Bell's Palsy.

Southern Eye Associates Of South Carolina, PA

113 Doctors Dr, 
Greenville, SC 
 2.8 mi
Accepting New Patients

Bradley Williams is an Ophthalmologist in Greenville, South Carolina. Dr. Williams and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Amblyopia. His top areas of expertise are Ocular Hypertension (OHT), Glaucoma, Temporal Arteritis, and Cataract. Dr. Williams is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
601 Halton Rd, 
Greenville, SC 
 3.5 mi

Harold Shaw is an Ophthalmologist in Greenville, South Carolina. Dr. Shaw and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Amblyopia. His top areas of expertise are Optic Neuritis, Optic Nerve Atrophy, Optic Atrophy Type 1, and Strabismus.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Amblyopia?

Children who get treated before age 5 almost always recover vision that is close to normal. However, they may continue to have problems with depth perception.

Permanent vision problems may result if treatment is delayed. Children treated after age 10 can expect vision to recover only partially.

What are the possible complications of Amblyopia?

Complications may include:

  • Eye muscle problems that may require several surgeries
  • Permanent vision loss in the affected eye
When should I contact a medical professional for Amblyopia?

Contact your health care provider or eye doctor if you suspect a vision problem in a young child.

How do I prevent Amblyopia?

Identifying and treating the problem early prevents children from having permanent visual loss. All children should have a complete eye exam at least once between ages 3 and 5.

Special methods are used to measure vision in a child who is too young to speak. Most eye care professionals can perform these techniques.

What are the latest Amblyopia Clinical Trials?
Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Amblyopia Treatment of Older Adolescents: A Cohort Study

Summary: As a neurodevelopmental visual disorder, amblyopia, especially monocular form-deprivation amblyopia, can lead to severe visual developmental impairments. Due to reduced neural plasticity in the visual cortex after the critical period of visual development, older children and adults with amblyopia show poor responses to conventional treatments, lacking effective therapeutic options. Recent basic an...

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Multi-day Effect of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation in Adults With Amblyopia

Summary: The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effectiveness of non-invasive brain stimulation in treating adults with amblyopia. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What are the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on neuronal plasticity in the visual cortex of adults with amblyopia, and does it produce lasting changes? 2. Do cumulative sessions of non-invasive b...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: July 09, 2024
Published By: Audrey Tai, DO, MS, Athena Eye Care, Mission Viejo, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Bircg EE, Duffy KR. Amblyopia. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 11.11.

Olitsky SE, Marsh JD. Disorders of vision. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 661.

Repka MX. Amblyopia: the basics, the questions, and the practical management. In: Lyons CJ, Lambert SR eds. Taylor and Hoyt's Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 74.

Xiao S, Angjeli E, Wu HC, et al. Randomized controlled trial of a dichoptic digital therapeutic for amblyopia. Ophthalmology. 2022;129(1):77-85. PMID: 34534556 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34534556/.