Amblyopia

Amblyopia

Amblyopia, often called “lazy eye”, is a term used to describe an eye with decreased potential vision. This often occurs in an otherwise healthy eye typically due to an uneven eyeglass prescription. Other causes of amblyopia include ptosis (droopy lid), congenital cataract, lack of corneal clarity, and ocular misalignment (strabismus). Amblyopia is relatively common condition and affects two to three percent of people in the United States. Amblyopia often evades detection, which is unfortunate because there is only a narrow timeframe early in life during which therapy can be successful, usually up to age eight or nine. Individuals suspected of having amblyopia should be evaluated and treated by a Pediatric ophthalmologist.