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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns and symptoms of lazy eye include:
- An eye that wanders inward or outward
- Eyes that may not appear to work together
- Poor depth perception
Although lazy eye usually affects just one eye, it's possible for both eyes to be affected. Sometimes lazy eye is not evident without an eye exam.
When to see a doctor
Primary care doctors often check vision as a routine part of well-child checkups — especially if there's a family history of crossed eyes, childhood cataracts or other eye conditions. If you notice your child's eye wandering at any time beyond the first few weeks of life, consult your child's doctor.
Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may refer your child to a specialist in eye conditions (ophthalmologist or optometrist). For all children, a complete eye exam is recommended between ages 3 and 5.
- Amblyopia. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. http://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/21. Accessed April 21, 2013.
- 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.
- Coats DK, et al. Overview of amblyopia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 24, 2013.
- 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.
- Scheiman MM, et al. Randomized trial of treatment of amblyopia in children aged 7 to 17 years. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2005;123:437.
- Amblyopia: Lazy eye diagnosis. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amblyopia-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed April 22, 2013.
- 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.
- Amblyopia: Lazy eye symptoms. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amblyopia-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed April 21, 2013.
- Amblyopia: Lazy eye treatment. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amblyopia-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed April 22, 2013.
- Facts about amblyopia. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/amblyopia/amblyopia_guide.asp. Accessed April 28, 2013.
- Amblyopia. National Guideline Clearinghouse. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=39255. April 28, 2013.
- 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.
- Matta MS, et al. Evidence-based medicine: Treatment for amblyopia. American Orthoptic Journal. 2010;60:17.
- Suttle CM. Active treatments for amblyopia: A review of the methods and evidence base. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 2010;93:287.
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