Amblyopia in children

What is Amblyopia ?

Amblyopia is a childhood condition where the vision does not develop properly, it’s also known as a “lazy eye”.

It happens because one or both eyes are unable to build a strong link to the brain. It usually only affects one eye, and means that the child can see less clearly out of the affected eye and relies more on the “good” eye.

Managing amblyopia might include the following techniques :

• Wearing glasses
• An eye patch covering the stronger eye to stimulate the “lazy” eye
• Eyedrops to temporarily blur the vision in the stronger eye to stimulate the “lazy” eye

How to spot amblyopia in children ?

Young children will not be able to communicate if they have a problem with their vision, however, these are a few signs to look for :

• Child rubs eyes regularly
• He covers one eye
• The child’s eyes are looking in different directions
• The child is not looking you in the face, he turns his head to the side

Certain factors are linked to the development of amblyopia :

• Hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism
• Asymmetry of refraction
• Family history of refractive error
• Malformations, corneal disorder
• Neuro-motor disorders