The most common single eye vision problem: “Lazy eye” also known as Amblyopia

“Lazy eye” is an extremely common condition. It’s actually the most common cause of single-eye vision problems in children.

The official technical name for lazy eye is amblyopia, which typically only affects one eye. It usually looks like a wandering eye that doesn’t focus at the same time as the other eye. The normal eye will focus and face in a fixed direction, while the affected eye will wander or look in different directions.

There are three possible causes of amblyopia:

– Strabismus. This is the most common cause of lazy eye and is caused by an imbalance in the strength of the eye muscles that affect the positioning of the eye. When the muscles in one eye are weak, that eye will have trouble remaining focused and fixed.

– Deprivation. This problem occurs when something affects the vision in one eye, such as a cataract. This also affects the strength of the eye muscles and makes one eye unable to focus properly.

– Refractive. Amblyopia caused by refractive issues relates to one eye, such as when one eye is significantly different the other in terms of near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism.

 Lazy eye often seems to run in families, suggesting that there might be a genetic component to the disorder. Other risk factors for amblyopia in children include premature birth or low birth weight and having a family history of cataracts and other eye diseases.

Many possible treatments can help with lazy eye.

– Corrective eye wear. Glasses and contacts may be all that is needed to correct some cases of lazy eye, particularly less serious cases.

– Eye drops. Using prescription eye drops containing a medication called atropine can cause the vision in the stronger eye to get temporarily blurry, which requires the weaker eye to work harder to overcompensate. This can strengthen the muscles in the weaker eye.

– Eye patches. An eye patch worn over the stronger eye can have an effect to strengthen the weaker eye, working in much the same way as the atropine eye drops.

– Surgery. In some cases, doctors may order surgery to repair the eye muscles, which can make them stronger and less prone to wandering.

Having a lazy eye doesn’t always have to be a permanent condition. It’s important to check with a qualified medical professional and find out what options might be available.  In recent years new research has uncovered additional treatment options, specifically in adults.