What is Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)? How to Treat?

Lazy eye is among the vision problems that occur in childhood. As a result of this condition, which is one of the childhood diseases, some symptoms such as blurred vision, strabismus and droopy eyelid may occur. Developmental problems that occur during growth and development may negatively affect eye health and cause amblyopia. This visual impairment, also known as amblyopia, can occur in the first seven years of life. Problems that usually occur in one eye due to the disease can rarely affect both eyes. Unilateral amblyopia can cause serious vision defects in the affected eye, such as blurred vision initially and vision loss in the future. Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease can contribute to preventing vision problems that may occur in adulthood. Glasses or contact lens therapy may be effective in treating this condition. In cases where these treatments are not sufficient, occlusion treatment can also contribute to the cure of the disease.

You can also ask "What is amblyopia?", "What causes amblyopia?", "What is the treatment of amblyopia?"

If you want to learn the answers to questions such as these, you can read the rest of the article.

What is Lazy Eye?

Amblyopia is a disorder that occurs in childhood and can seriously negatively affect vision. If the disorder is not treated early, it can progress over time and lead to serious consequences such as vision loss. For this reason, it is very important for amblyopia to be treated by an experienced physician in the early stages.

Symptoms of Lazy Eye

Amblyopia, one of the childhood diseases, may not be diagnosed at an early stage as this condition is not noticed by children.

Lazy Eye in Children: Causes and Symptoms

Some eye problems in the early stages of life may cause amblyopia. Different symptoms may occur as a result of amblyopia in children. The causes and symptoms of amblyopia in children are detailed in the rest of the article.

What Causes Lazy Eye in Children?

The retina layer in the eye contributes to the healthy functioning of vision by sending signals to the brain. Problems in the brain-eye communication between the retina and the brain in the early stages of life may predispose to amblyopia. Depending on the disease, the affected eye may receive fewer visual signals. As a result, the ability of both eyes to work together decreases and the visual signals from the affected eye begin to be ignored by the brain. Various conditions that cause vision problems can cause amblyopia to develop. What causes lazy eye? Some of the answers to the question are as follows:

• Eye Muscle Imbalance: Muscle imbalance, also known as strabismus amblyopia, is among the most common causes of amblyopia. Imbalances in the muscles that adjust the position of the eyes can cause amblyopia. As a result of the muscle imbalance, the eyes may tend to drift inward or outward.
• Difference in Visual Acuity Between the Eyes (Refraction Amblyopia): This condition, also known as refractive error, may occur as a result of the natural shape of the eyes or focusing problems that blur vision. Amblyopia may develop as a result of such a problem that is not treated in the early period. Eye axis disorders such as high myopia (refractive error), high hyperopia (refractive error) or astigmatism (refractive error) can cause amblyopia to develop. Such problems, which cause questions in visual acuity, can be eliminated by using glasses or contact lenses.
• Dropping Eyelids (Ptosis): Drooping of the eyelid enough to cover a part of the eye may cause amblyopia to develop.
• Cataract: Cataract may occur as a result of clouding in the eye lens. Amblyopia may occur as a result of cataract.

Amblyopia may occur as a result of such diseases, and some conditions may also pose a risk for amblyopia. Some of the risk factors that cause amblyopia are as follows:

• Genetic factors (having vision problems in family members),
• Problems experienced during the development period,
• Early birth (being born before the 37th week of pregnancy),
• Low birth weight (being born lighter than 2,500 grams).

Such situations may pose a risk for amblyopia. In case of these risk factors, it is important to undergo routine examinations starting from infancy.

What are the symptoms of lazy eye in children?

Different symptoms may occur as a result of amblyopia that occurs in childhood. Some of these symptoms are as follows:

• Not noticing objects and frequently hitting the body somewhere,
• Closing one eye to see things,
• Strabismus (strabismus),
• droopy eyelids,
• Difficulty in following an object or person with the eyes,
• Tending the head while looking at something,
• >
• Lack of coordination between the eyes,
• Frequent squinting.

Such symptoms may be difficult for children to notice. For this reason, parents ask "What causes lazy eye?" It is very important to have detailed information about the question and pay attention to the symptoms that may indicate amblyopia.

Lazy Eye Treatment

A detailed examination by an ophthalmologist can help diagnose amblyopia. During the examination, the optometrist checks the general eye health and examines conditions such as eye misalignment, difference in vision between the eyes, or poor vision in both eyes. It is very important to treat amblyopia early, which occurs when the complex connections between the eye and brain begin to form. The treatment methods to be applied as a result of the disease may vary depending on the cause of amblyopia and its effect.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment in Lazy Eye

Amblyopia that is not treated early can worsen over time and cause serious health problems such as vision loss in adulthood. Amblyopia diagnosed at an early stage can contribute to the recovery of the disease before it gets worse.

Lazy Eye and Technology: What are the New Treatment Methods?

Thanks to the developments in health technologies today, amblyopia can be treated by choosing modern treatment methods.

As a result of the examination, amblyopia treatment can be applied with a method deemed appropriate by the doctor. Some of the methods used in the treatment of amblyopia are as follows:

• Eye Patch Treatment: Wearing an eye patch may be effective to correct the problems that occur in the treatment of amblyopia. This method, which involves wearing a band that covers the eye that can see better for at least a few hours a day, can prevent the vision of the covered side and enable the weaker eye to see better over time.
• Glasses Treatment: Glasses treatment helps correct the vision defects that cause amblyopia. might help. As a result of solving vision problems, the visual signals coming from both eyes can be interpreted by the brain in the same way.
• Medicated Eye Drops: This method applied by the doctor is a treatment method that involves applying a medicated drop to the eye that sees better. As a result of the medication administered, blurring may occur on the side with strong vision. This may contribute to the improvement in the vision of the weak eye by helping the brain use the visual signals transmitted by the weak eye.
• Eye Exercises: In addition to treatment methods such as wearing an eye patch or using medicated eye drops in the treatment of amblyopia, some eye exercises can be performed by the doctor. can be recommended. These exercises recommended by the doctor can help strengthen the connection between the amblyopic eye and the brain.
• Amblyopia Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be required to treat amblyopia. If other methods for treatment are not sufficient or if there are other disorders accompanying amblyopia, surgical methods can be applied by the doctor.

Amblyopia can be treated for different periods of time depending on the period of the disease. In some cases, treatment of the disease may take several months.

If amblyopia that occurs in childhood is not treated early, it may cause serious problems in adulthood. Regular childhood examinations can contribute to a healthy adulthood by ensuring that amblyopia is diagnosed and treated at an early stage.

Source

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/lazy-eye/symptoms-causes/syc-20352391
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lazy-eye/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352396
3. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lazy-eye/
4. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye- health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/amblyopia-lazy-eye
5. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10707-amblyopia-lazy-eye