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Lazy Eye: A Guide to Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Amblyopia

by Rahul Singh Content Writer

Introduction

Lazy eye, or amblyopia, as it is called in medical terms, is an eye disorder in which there is a lack of coordination between eyes and the brain. This results in decreased vision in an eye that appears normal otherwise. It is a common causal condition of decreased vision in a single eye in children. If not treated, the brain learns to ignore the image that comes from the affected eye. This can harm the vision permanently. Amblyopia usually begins by the age of 5.

Symptoms

Many individuals affected with amblyopia might not even be aware of their condition until tested, as the vision in one eye (the stronger eye) is normal. Affected people have poor stereo vision, and in addition, poor pattern recognition, poor visual clarity, and lower sensitivity to contrast and motion. Common symptoms include:

  1.       An eye that wanders inward or outward
  2.       Eyes that appear to not work together
  3.       Poor depth perception
  4.       Squinting or shutting an eye
  5.       Head tilting
  6.       Abnormal results of vision screening tests (when tested)

A doctor should be consulted if your child experiences the above mentioned symptoms. Any eye clinic will do, but it is better to visit a multi-specialty hospital, like Paras Hospitals group, which have specialized departments for the treatment of such conditions. There are such Eye hospitals in Gurgaon and Delhi NCR, as well as such hospitals in Patna, and even one such Eye hospital in Darbhanga in Bihar region.

Causes

Lazy eye usually develops as a result of abnormal visual experience early on in life, which changes the nerve pathways between the retina present at the back of the eye and the brain. The weaker eye receives fewer visual signals. Gradually, the ability of the eyes to work together decreases, and the brain suppresses or starts ignoring input from the weaker eye. Other common causes that can cause the condition include:

·         Strabismus, is an imbalance in muscles that position the eyes. It can cause lazy eye.

·         Difference in sharpness of vision between the eyes is called astigmatism. It can result in lazy eyes.

·         A problem in one eye, such as cataract (blurry clouds in eye lens) can deprive a child of vision in one eye, causing lazy eye.

Treatment

Treatment is best if started early. Treatment depends on the cause, and how much the condition is affecting the vision. Doctors usually recommend:

    • Corrective eyewear like glasses or contact lenses
    • Eye patches to stimulate the weaker eye. The stronger eye is covered with the patch for 2 to 6 hours daily.
    • Bangerter filter
    • Eye drops
    • Surgery is needed only in limited cases

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    About Rahul Singh Innovator     Content Writer

    15 connections, 1 recommendations, 54 honor points.
    Joined APSense since, June 9th, 2017, From Delhi, India.

    Created on Oct 7th 2017 12:08. Viewed 852 times.

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