By Dr Ebiye-Nwoko Adaeze (OD)
Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is a common yet often undetected vision disorder in children. Early diagnosis and treatment can achieve full or near-full vision correction. SpecSMART Eye Clinic in Ikoyi and Ikeja Lagos offers expert care with advanced diagnostics and tailored therapies for effective management.
What Is Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)?
Amblyopia occurs when one eye fails to develop normal vision during childhood. The brain favors the stronger eye, suppressing the weaker one, impairing vision, depth perception, and coordination. It is a neurological condition involving brain visual processing, not just an eye misalignment or refractive error.
How Does Amblyopia Develop?
Causes:
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Strabismic Amblyopia: Misaligned eyes cause the brain to suppress one eye’s image to avoid double vision.
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Refractive Amblyopia: One eye has significant uncorrected refractive errors (astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia), causing dependence on the clearer eye.
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Deprivation Amblyopia: Caused by obstruction (cataracts, droopy eyelids, injury) blocking vision, requiring urgent treatment.
Signs and Symptoms
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Eye drifting inward or outward
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Difficulty judging distance
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Squinting or eye closing
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Frequent eye rubbing
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Poor hand-eye coordination
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Head tilting
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Headaches, eye strain
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Reading or focusing difficulty at school
Why Early Treatment Is Critical
The brain’s visual development is most adaptable from birth to age 7. Without early therapy, permanent vision loss and developmental impairments are likely. Early intervention improves vision outcomes and prevents long-term deficits.
Early Treatment Options
1. Prescription Eyeglasses
Correcting refractive errors helps the brain use both eyes equally.
2. Eye Patching (Occlusion Therapy)
Patching the stronger eye forces use of the weaker eye, improving strength and coordination.
3. Atropine Eye Drops
Blur the stronger eye, encouraging use of the weaker one; preferred by some for ease over patches.
4. Vision Therapy
Activities to enhance eye focusing, tracking, teaming, and visual processing.
5. Treating Underlying Conditions
Surgical removal of cataracts or other obstructions before other therapies.
6. Combination Therapy
Often glasses, patching, drops, and vision therapy are combined for best results.
Treatment Duration
Varies by age, severity, therapy consistency, and underlying conditions. Early treatment leads to quicker, more successful correction.
Role of Parents in Treatment
Parental encouragement, consistency, and positive reinforcement are vital for treatment adherence and success.
FAQs
What is lazy eye?
Amblyopia is when one eye has poor vision due to brain favoring the other eye.
Can lazy eye be treated in older children?
Yes, but treatment is most effective under age 7. Some improvement is possible up to age 17.
How do eye patches work?
They cover the stronger eye to force use of the weaker eye.
📍Contact SpecSMART Eye Clinic Ikoyi
Ikoyi Plaza, Keffi Street, Ikoyi
📞 0701 820 7486