Lazy eye (amblyopia)


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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Lazy eye (amblyopia) is decreased vision that results from abnormal visual development in infancy and early childhood. Although lazy eye usually affects only one eye, it can affect both eyes. Lazy eye is the leading cause of decreased vision among children. Left untreated, vision loss may range from mild to severe.

With lazy eye, there may not be an obvious abnormality of the eye. Lazy eye develops when nerve pathways between the brain and the eye aren't properly stimulated. As a result, the brain favors one eye, usually due to poor vision in the other eye. The weaker eye tends to wander. Eventually, the brain may ignore the signals received from the weaker — or lazy — eye.

Usually doctors can correct lazy eye with eye patches, eyedrops, and glasses or contact lenses. Sometimes lazy eye requires surgical treatment.

Symptoms
References
  1. Amblyopia. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. http://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/21. Accessed April 21, 2013.
  2. Vision screening for children one to five years of age: Recommendation statement. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org./uspstf/uspsvsch.htm. Accessed April 23, 2013.
  3. Coats DK, et al. Overview of amblyopia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 24, 2013.
  4. Yanoff M, ed., et al. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Edinburgh, U.K.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/212799885-2/0/1869/0.html. Accessed April 24, 2013.
  5. Scheiman MM, et al. Randomized trial of treatment of amblyopia in children aged 7 to 17 years. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2005;123:437.
  6. Amblyopia: Lazy eye diagnosis. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amblyopia-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed April 22, 2013.
  7. Amblyopia: Who is at risk for lazy eye? American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amblyopia-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed April 22, 2013.
  8. Amblyopia: Lazy eye symptoms. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amblyopia-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed April 21, 2013.
  9. Amblyopia: Lazy eye treatment. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amblyopia-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed April 22, 2013.
  10. Facts about amblyopia. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/amblyopia/amblyopia_guide.asp. Accessed April 28, 2013.
  11. Amblyopia. National Guideline Clearinghouse. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=39255. April 28, 2013.
  12. Taylor K, et al. Interventions for unilateral and bilateral refractive amblyopia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005137.pub3/abstract. Accessed April 23, 2013.
  13. Matta MS, et al. Evidence-based medicine: Treatment for amblyopia. American Orthoptic Journal. 2010;60:17.
  14. Suttle CM. Active treatments for amblyopia: A review of the methods and evidence base. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 2010;93:287.
DS00887 July 3, 2013

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