Children experience a wide range of vision changes in the first couple of years as their eyes develop and strengthen. Young children can also develop certain conditions that require a formal diagnosis and treatment. This will ensure that they can see properly in the future. If you've noticed your child relying on one eye more than the other, you may be concerned about something commonly referred to as  "lazy eye."  Below are a few questions to help you prepare for an Optometric evaluation to determine whether your child may have this condition.

Ambylopia FAQ

What is it?

Ambylopia, also known as a lazy eye, is a neurodevelopmental condition that results in blurred vision. Amblyopia occurs when the brain receives poor visual input from one or both eyes during the child's development. This most commonly occurs if one eye has a strong prescription and/or if an eye demonstrates a misalignment, or "eye-turn." Effectively, the poorer seeing eye provides weaker input to the brain, resulting in the brain tuning-out or ignoring the one eye. This results in reduced vision, even with the appropriate glasses prescription, as well as poor depth perception.

How common is it? 

Amblyopia is one of the most common pediatric vision disorders affecting about 3% of children. This typically develops in childhood, especially among infants who are premature or at a low birth weight.  Individuals with a family history of amblyopia or developmental delays may also develop this condition. Adults who underwent successful treatment in childhood may see symptom regression as they age.

What are some common symptoms? 

Common symptoms of amblyopia may include shutting one eye, squinting in an attempt to focus, frequent rubbing, poor eye-hand coordination, and bumping into or tripping over objects on one side. Children with this condition may also have trouble with eye movements, and the affected eye may be noticeably turned or crossed. 

It's important for parents to know that mild symptoms can be challenging to detect, as hildren may overcompensate with their stronger eye. If they seem to prefer one over the other, discuss this with your Specialist.

How is it diagnosed?

While pediatricians may screen for this condition, the only way to have an accurate visual assessment is a comprehensive eye exam. An optometrist will perform an extensive exam to determine your child's visual acuity, refractive error, ocular alignment, motility and ocular health. The earlier your child has this thorough exam, the easier it is for the Optometrist to develop a successful treatment plan.

How is lazy eye treated?

In-office Vision Therapy is one of the ways that amblyopia can be treated. Some children also benefit from special corrective lenses with prisms that help the eye focus. The doctor may also recommend covering the stronger eye to strengthen the weaker one. This therapeutic method forces the brain to rely on the affected eye, strengthening it over time. 

If you believe your child may have a lazy eye, trust Allens Creek Family Optometry in Rochester, NY, to provide thorough, compassionate care. The skilled Optometrists provide comprehensive exams, corrective lenses, and vision therapy to address a wide range of issues. Call (585) 461- 6225 to schedule an appointment, and visit the website for more about their therapeutic options.