Amblyopia also known as lazy eye is abnormal vision seen in infancy and childhood. Lazy vision is reduced vision that can affect the visual perception of the child. Actually amblyopia is seen in only one eye, but left untreated it can affect total vision also. Amblyopia can cause loss of vision from mild to severe. It is caused due to reduced neuromuscular communication between the brain and the eyes. The brain receives signal from only one eye and reduced weak signal from the other eye. It ignores the weak signal of the affected eye causing lazy eye. Amblyopia can be corrected with eye patches, eyeglasses or lenses. About 2-3% of American children have amblyopia.
Symptoms :
Since amblyopia begins in infancy or childhood, it is difficult to identify. The baby may have wandering eye that moves either inward or outward. If you grab the attention of the infant by showing some objects, the eyes may not focus together. The baby may have reduced perception in one eye.
If you observe any of the above symptoms in your baby you need to consult your doctor immediately. The child may have blurred vision or turned out vision due to crossed eyes. If there is wandering of eyes after few weeks of birth, you can report it to your primary care physician.
Causes :