What is Amblyopia?

Amblyopia is a common eye condition that occurs in children as young as infants. Amblyopia is reduced vision in one eye caused by abnormal vision development. The eye with reduced vision does not communicate with the brain as well and therefore the brain will suppress or ignore that eye, further disrupting normal eye development in the amblyopic eye. Some risk factors for developing amblyopia include premature births, a family history of amblyopia, and developmental disabilities.

The three types of amblyopia are as follows:

• Deprivational amblyopia
  • Can be caused by a droopy eyelid or congenital cataract
• Refractive amblyopia
  • Can be caused by a large refractive error in one or both eyes
• Strabismic amblyopia
  • Can be caused by a wandering eye

Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the severity of amblyopia and possibly restore the vision in the weaker eye. Common treatments of amblyopia include eyeglass correction, patching, and surgery.

Some signs and symptoms of amblyopia include:

• An eye that crosses inward or drifts outward
• Poor depth perception
• Squinting or closing an eye
• Health tilting

Sometimes your child may not be able to tell you he/she is not seeing well. Therefore it is imperative to bring your child in for an eye exam to be checked by an eye care professional. Untreated amblyopia can lead to permanent vision loss. Here at Ticho Eye Associates we see children of all ages as young as infants. Make an appointment today!