What is lazy eye?
Lazy eye, otherwise known as amblyopia, is characterized by reduced vision in one eye. Lazy eye usually develops at birth or in early childhood.
Symptoms of lazy eye include:
- One eye wandering inward or outward
- Eyes not working in tandem
- Not being able to perceive depth properly
- Head tilting
- Squinting or shutting the eye
- Abnormal vision test
If you’ve taken notice of a loved one in your family’s misaligned eye, or you suspect you yourself might have a lazy eye, you should see your optometrist right away for a comprehensive eye examination and visual acuity tests.
What causes lazy eye?
Lazy eye occurs due to changes in the nerve pathways between the eye’s retina and the brain. The lazy eye sends weaker signals, which the brain eventually ignores. Lazy eye can be caused by one or a combination of:
- Weak eye muscles that prevent eyes from tracking together
- Astigmatism or other visual deprivation
- Cataracts or other structural problem
Developmental disorders or a family history of amblyopia increase the chances of developing lazy eye. Children are also more susceptible to lazy eye if they were born prematurely or had a low birth weight.
How do optometrists treat lazy eye?
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with lazy eye, your optometrists at Antelope Valley Optometric Center begin treatment right away to prevent vision loss. Ideally, treatment should start before the age of seven, but even adults can have their lazy eye corrected with treatment. They recommend:
- Eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct refraction disorders in the weaker eye
- An eye patch over the strong eye to strengthen the weaker eye
- A bangerter filter on eyeglass lens of the stronger eye to strengthen the weaker eye
- Atropine drops to blur vision in the stronger eye
- Surgery to strengthen eye muscles
- Surgery to remove cataracts
How long does it take to treat lazy eye?
Lazy eye treatment can last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the severity of your child’s case. You should start to notice improved vision within weeks to months.
Don’t delay in treating lazy eye. Contact Antelope Valley Optometric Center to preserve your child’s vision by calling the helpful staff or scheduling a consultation online.
