Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye,” refers to decreased vision—usually in one eye—during your child’s early developmental years. Your child’s brain does not learn to see well from the affected eye or sometimes both eyes.

It is a leading cause of vision loss in children, and if left untreated, the decreased vision continues into adulthood. Between 2 to 3 percent of people in the United States have amblyopia.

Amblyopia Causes

A number of things can cause amblyopia, including:

Strabismus. In this condition, the eyes are not entirely straight. It gives the appearance of “crossed eyes” or a “wandering eye.”
Unequal refractive errors. Refractive errors, or types of glasses prescriptions, include nearsighted (myopia), farsighted (hyperopia) and astigmatism. This can make it difficult to focus at certain distances. When the refractive errors are unequal or are of very high strength, they can lead to abnormal vision in one or both eyes.
Obstruction. A cataract, corneal scar, droopy eyelid or any other condition that causes a physical barrier to clear sight can cause amblyopia.

In rare cases, poor vision develops in both eyes. This is referred to as bilateral amblyopia.

Overview

Amblyopia Causes

A number of things can cause amblyopia, including:

Strabismus. In this condition, the eyes are not entirely straight. It gives the appearance of “crossed eyes” or a “wandering eye.”
Unequal refractive errors. Refractive errors, or types of glasses prescriptions, include nearsighted (myopia), farsighted (hyperopia) and astigmatism. This can make it difficult to focus at certain distances. When the refractive errors are unequal or are of very high strength, they can lead to abnormal vision in one or both eyes.
Obstruction. A cataract, corneal scar, droopy eyelid or any other condition that causes a physical barrier to clear sight can cause amblyopia.

In rare cases, poor vision develops in both eyes. This is referred to as bilateral amblyopia.

Amblyopia is not always obvious. Both eyes can look normal in amblyopia, so it is important that children receive early vision screening. The key to successful treatment of amblyopia is finding the problem early.

If your child’s pediatrician suspects amblyopia or another condition, we perform a thorough examination and begin treatment if necessary. Children with amblyopia who are treated by age six or seven typically receive excellent results. Research has shown that some improvement is possible even when treatment begins as late as the teenage years.

The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute is the eye and vision research hub of the Indiana University School of Medicine. Our researchers investigate how vision develops in children, and find new ways to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions.

Diagnosis

Amblyopia is not always obvious. Both eyes can look normal in amblyopia, so it is important that children receive early vision screening. The key to successful treatment of amblyopia is finding the problem early.

If your child’s pediatrician suspects amblyopia or another condition, we perform a thorough examination and begin treatment if necessary. Children with amblyopia who are treated by age six or seven typically receive excellent results. Research has shown that some improvement is possible even when treatment begins as late as the teenage years.

The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute is the eye and vision research hub of the Indiana University School of Medicine. Our researchers investigate how vision develops in children, and find new ways to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions.

Our ophthalmologists use the most advanced techniques to improve your child’s vision. IU Health physicians develop a personalized treatment plan based on the cause of your child’s amblyopia, and the needs and preferences of your family. Our physicians want your child to have the best possible eyesight.

Treating amblyopia typically requires both correcting the underlying problem and addressing the amblyopia. A treatment plan for amblyopia may include:

Correcting eye problems. Glasses, contact lenses and/or a surgical procedure for a cataract, droopy eyelid or realignment of the eye muscles may be necessary.
Patching. By covering the stronger eye, your child uses the weaker eye. This technique strengthens the weaker eye’s nerve pathway to the brain.
Eye drops. A special eye drop that blurs the vision sometimes serves the same purpose as patching. Your child typically receives the drop once a day.
Dichoptic Therapy. This newer form of treatment encourages the brain to use both eyes at the same time but presents a clearer image to the weaker eye. This type of treatment usually involves wearing glasses with different colored lenses or a virtual reality VR headset and playing a game or watching a show for 1 hour 5 days/week.

Treatment

Our ophthalmologists use the most advanced techniques to improve your child’s vision. IU Health physicians develop a personalized treatment plan based on the cause of your child’s amblyopia, and the needs and preferences of your family. Our physicians want your child to have the best possible eyesight.

Treating amblyopia typically requires both correcting the underlying problem and addressing the amblyopia. A treatment plan for amblyopia may include:

Correcting eye problems. Glasses, contact lenses and/or a surgical procedure for a cataract, droopy eyelid or realignment of the eye muscles may be necessary.
Patching. By covering the stronger eye, your child uses the weaker eye. This technique strengthens the weaker eye’s nerve pathway to the brain.
Eye drops. A special eye drop that blurs the vision sometimes serves the same purpose as patching. Your child typically receives the drop once a day.
Dichoptic Therapy. This newer form of treatment encourages the brain to use both eyes at the same time but presents a clearer image to the weaker eye. This type of treatment usually involves wearing glasses with different colored lenses or a virtual reality VR headset and playing a game or watching a show for 1 hour 5 days/week.