What is lazy eye?

Lazy eye is poor vision of one or occasionally both eyes that occurs in early childhood. It is also called amblyopia.

What causes lazy eye and what are the symptoms?

Distorted vision of the lazy eye prevents normal eyesight from developing. Common causes are: -

· Refractive error, when the eye is out of focus.

· Squint, when an eye turns, usually inwards. The squint may be so small that it is never noticed.

· Pathology, a few rare conditions within the eye.

Often a lazy eye is not noticed because the better eye can see and masks the poor vision.

How can a lazy eye be found?

Your child should be referred to an Orthoptist for a vision assessment, and to a Consultant Ophthalmologist with special interest in paediatrics, for a complete examination of the eye and test for refractive error.

How can a lazy eye be treated?

Treatment is most effective in younger children and should begin as early as possible to improve the vision of a lazy eye. The aim of treatment is to stimulate the lazy eye to develop good vision.

· Glasses

If significant refractive error is found, especially if there is a difference between each eye, glasses will be given for full time wear. Sometimes the lazy eye develops good vision with glasses worn, research has shown that it can take up to 18 weeks to improve.

· Occlusion therapy

Masking the vision of the good eye to stimulate and develop normal vision of the lazy eye maybe advised by using eye patches, frosting of a lens of glasses or atropine eye ointment.

Even surprisingly poor vision of a lazy eye can be improved, but treatment is less effective in older children. Treatment is often stable before 7 years of age.