What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Lazy Eye
• Stimulus Deprivation-Induced Amblyopia
• Suppression Amblyopia

What is Amblyopia? (Definition/Background Information)

• Amblyopia is an optical disorder characterized by the partial or complete loss of vision. It occurs because visual development during infancy and adolescence is stunted
• In most cases, Amblyopia only affects one eye, although cases have been recorded where the function of both eyes are impaired
• In individuals with Amblyopia, the nerve pathway between the brain and one eye is not properly stimulated. Due to improper stimulation, the brain is not able to process what the eye sees; it tends to favor the eye that has the properly functioning nerve pathway

Who gets Amblyopia? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Most cases of Amblyopia are first diagnosed in children under the age of 8 years. The children may be affected for the entirety of their life, if treatment intervention is lacking
• In rare cases, a late-onset Amblyopia can occur in adults
• Males and females are affected by Amblyopia in comparable numbers

What are the Risk Factors of Amblyopia? (Predisposing Factors)

Common risk factors of Amblyopia include:

• Family history of Amblyopia
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Amblyopia? (Etiology)

Amblyopia is usually caused by one of three reasons, which include:

• Strabismus: Eye positioning muscle imbalance that leads to crossed eyes or eye turn; it causes difficulty in keeping one’s eyes coordinated
• Deprivation: Congenital cataracts (opacifications on the crystalline lens) that block light from entering the pupil and reaching the retina normally
• Refraction: Amblyopia results from vision differences between the eyes caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism (Anisometropic Amblyopia) or a high amount of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism in both eyes, which can result in vision loss in both eyes (Isoametropic Amblyopia)

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Amblyopia?

The common signs and symptoms of Amblyopia include:

• Depth perception problems
• Crossed eyes
• Eyes turned out
• Blurry vision in one or both eyes
• Eye coordination difficulties
• Headaches
• Squinting
• Other vision signs and symptoms such as lack of binocular vision

How is Amblyopia Diagnosed?

• To diagnose Amblyopia, usually an eye examination is sufficient. During the exam, the healthcare provider will look for symptoms including wandering eyes, an eye turn, vision differences between the eyes, and refractive errors
• The underlying cause is determined with a comprehensive eye exam

Many other clinical conditions may cause vision loss in children. Your optometrist or pediatric ophthalmologist may perform additional tests to rule out other conditions.

What are the possible Complications of Amblyopia?

If Amblyopia is left untreated, complete vision loss in the affected eye(s) is a significant complication.

How is Amblyopia Treated?

Amblyopia may be treated successfully with early treatment intervention and maintenance therapy, which is why it is crucial for children to have an eye exam before entering kindergarten.

A variety of treatment options are available, which include:

• Prescription glasses for full-time wear (usually the first-line of treatment)
• Patching of the “good eye”
• Eye drops (atropine regimen in the “good eye”)
• Vision therapy (later treatment to develop binocular vision)
• Eye surgery (usually to realign the eye muscles to correct a strabismus, or eye turn)

How can Amblyopia be Prevented?

• Currently, no known prevention methods exist for Amblyopia.
• Efforts can be taken, however, to reduce one’s risk of developing Amblyopia by having regular eye examinations, especially if there is a high risk for development of the condition
• To prevent symptoms from getting worse, early recognition and treatment is important

What is the Prognosis of Amblyopia? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• Many individuals who are diagnosed early and receive proper treatment for Amblyopia usually recover almost completely and have a good prognosis. In some cases, they may have some difficulty with depth perception
• However, if diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the vision may be permanently affected

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Amblyopia:

Please visit our Eye & Vision Center for more physician-approved health information:

http://www.dovemed.com/health-topics/vision-center/