Lazy eye (amblyopia)


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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your doctor will diagnose lazy eye with a thorough eye exam. He or she will look for a wandering eye, as well as a difference in vision between the eyes or poor vision in both eyes. Depending on your child's age, tests may include the following:

  • Newborns. Red reflex test to look for cataracts, using a lighted magnifying device (ophthalmoscope)
  • Infants. Test for ability to fixate their gaze and follow a moving object, as well as check for strabismus
  • Toddlers. Red reflex test, photo screening or remote autorefraction
  • Preschoolers and older children. Testing using pictures or letters. Each eye is patched in turn to test the other

Your doctor may also check for inflammation, tumors and other inner eye problems.

Treatments and drugs Preparing for your appointment

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
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  • Eye exam

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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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