How to Tell if You Have a Lazy Eye

When I was about 7, I remember that my mother complained to my teacher that I seemed to have problems in copying things from the blackboard. I was moved to a seat in front. My mother insisted that every time she would check my notes, there still appeared something wrong. So we went to an eye specialist to check on my eyes. I remember him putting eye drops for several days, and then I was given my first eye glasses. From that time on, I have always known to be the girl in spectacles. Although my glasses became some sort of security blanket, I cannot deny that I could not see clearly without them. However, I did not really know what the conditions of my eyes were, apart from my need to always use my glasses.

Decades later, when I saw another eye doctor, I was told that I have what is called a lazy eye. The bad news is when I was informed about it, I was already 30 years old. Early detection and correction is needed for this condition, which means at 30, it was already quite late to have it corrected. But what actually is a lazy eye?

Lazy eye is known as amblyopia. It is a condition where there is reduced vision caused when a clear image is not available on the retina during significant periods of development of the child. This is from birth to about 6 years of age. Anything that interferes with a normal image on the retina can lead to amblyopia. This is considered a loss of vision that continues even if no problem remains in the eye.

The brain does not fully acknowledge the images seen by an ambylopic eye. Usually only one eye is affected, but may manifest with reduction of vision in both eyes. It usually develops in young children before age 6. The child may squint or completely close on eye to see. An overall poor visual acuity (clearness of vision) could be present, as well as eyestrain and headache.

Amblyopia may be caused by a trauma in the eye or a strong uncorrected refractive error, either nearsightedness or farsightedness, or strabismus (a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned). When not corrected, the brain learns to entirely ignore vision in the affected eye.

Treatment can be done with vision therapy. This would force the brain to see through the affected eye so as to restore vision. An eye doctor would put a patch over the stronger eye to force the weaker eye to learn to see. Patching may be done for several hours each day or even all day long. Patching might be required to be worn for weeks or months.

For some kids who may have trouble with the patch, a prosthetic contact lens could be used. This kind is specially designed to block vision in one eyes, although it has the same color as the other eye.

Others may be given atropine eye drops by their eye doctor. This blurs the vision in the good eye and therefore forces the child to use the eye with amblyopia. this method is quite easy because there is no need for an adult to constantly check on the child, as compared to the use of a patch.

Amblyopia could be caused by a strong uncorrected refractive error. Eyeglasses or contact lens may be prescribed, and a patch may go along also.

Surgery is also an option to correct amblyopia. This is if the condition has an underlying problem such as strabismus. The surgery should correct muscle problems so the eye can focus together and see properly.

Many children go undiagnosed until they have their eyes examined at school. Therefore comprehensive vision evaluations are highly recommended for infants and pre-schoolers. Researches show that amblyopia is successfully treated up to age 17. It would require more effort and therapy for those beyond 17 years old. Therefore, early detection and treatment would still offer the best outcome.