Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Amblyopia is the medical term for lazy eye and it means that the visual function of an eye is underdeveloped. 

Amblyopia begins during infancy and early childhood. In most cases, only one eye is affected. But in some cases, reduced visual acuity can occur in both eyes.

Particularly if lazy eye is detected early in life and promptly treated, reduced vision can be avoided. But if left untreated, lazy eye can cause severe visual disability in the affected eye, including legal blindness.

The reasons for amblyopia can be many and varied. The most common cause is a difference in refraction of both eyes - the big difference in diopters creates conditions for one eye to focus well, and the other - not.  

The first step in the treatment of amblyopia is perscripting accurate optical correction. Then it is needed to force immediately the work of lazy eye. This is usually achieved by closing the strong eye for a few hours during the day for weeks or months. Occasionally, amblyopia can be treated with special drops that blur vision of the good eye, forcing the weaker eye to work.

If amblyopia is combined with strabismus, usually it is treated before surgery. If detected early and treated properly, the recovery of lazy eye is very good. Success depends on the severity of the problem, the child's age and the support of parents in the course of therapy.

Troshev Eye Clinic is equipped with Binocular Autorefractor "plusoptiX A09",  which is especially designed for pre-verbal infants (6 months and older) as well as non-cooperative patients. This includes patients with developmental delay, autism, traumatic brain injury and restricted mobility.