Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Amblyopia, often called lazy eye, is a condition where one eye doesn’t develop normal vision during early childhood. This happens when the brain relies more on one eye than the other, which can cause the weaker eye’s vision to become blurred. It can develop for several reasons, such as a squint (where the eyes point in different directions), a difference in prescription between the two eyes, or a problem affecting vision like a droopy eyelid. Amblyopia is most successfully treated in childhood, so early detection is important. Treatment may include wearing glasses, using a patch over the stronger eye, or specific eye exercises to help strengthen the weaker one. Regular eye checks for children are the best way to catch amblyopia early and protect their long-term vision.