Amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye,” is a condition where vision is weakened without any visible structural defect in the eye. It is a serious concern because it often goes unnoticed, especially when only one eye is affected and the other functions normally.

Children Are the Joy of Life — Let’s Protect Their Vision

Vision development begins at birth and continues until around the age of seven. If amblyopia is diagnosed early during this critical period, it can often be treated successfully. The earlier the intervention, the better the chances of restoring lost vision.

Causes of Amblyopia

Amblyopia occurs when the brain does not receive a clear image from one eye. The most common causes include:

• Unequal vision between the two eyes, especially if one eye is significantly weaker.
• Lack of noticeable symptoms, as the child may rely on the healthy eye and appear to function normally, making it difficult for parents to detect the issue.

Treatment

One effective treatment is patching the stronger eye for about two hours a day. This forces the brain to use the weaker eye, encouraging its development.

Treatment is most successful when started at a young age. After the age of nine, the chances of full recovery become significantly lower.