One common vision care problem optometrists encounter is amblyopia, commonly known as a lazy eye. It's estimated that up to three percent of the population has amblyopia. It's especially important for parents to watch for this condition in their children, but it can also affect adults.

What Is Amblyopia?

This condition happens when one eye is weaker than the other. It can sometimes be caused by an identifiable vision problem in the weak eye, such as blurred vision, nearsightedness, or farsightedness. It can also happen if the affected eye wanders (strabismus). However, there may be no discernible cause. Either way, the brain relies less on the weak eye over time and starts to ignore signals from it, which leads to degenerating vision in that eye.

Signs of Amblyopia

Weak vision in one eye is the main symptom, and it leads to poor depth perception which may also be among the first signs. Strabismus, or one eye which wanders in a different direction than the other, is common with amblyopia. Children with this condition may squint, tilt their heads, or close one eye to compensate. However, this problem often isn't noticed until a vision care professional administers an eye exam or screening.

Treatment for Amblyopia

Treatment for this condition is geared toward strengthening the weak eye. First, an optometrist should correct any obvious issues such as astigmatism (irregular cornea or lens). Next, you need to encourage the brain to use the weak eye in daily life; to do this, your vision care provider may recommend covering the strong eye with an eye patch or applying special eye drops that will temporarily blur vision. If amblyopia is corrected while the patient is still young, it may take only a few weeks or months. Older patients whose eyesight has degenerated further may take longer or may not be able to fully recover vision in the weak eye.

If you need vision care for amblyopia or other issues, schedule with Kenneth Houchin MD in Las Vegas, NV. Serving Clark County, Dr. Houchin is a trained ophthalmologist who offers individualized care for glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and more. He also offers quality contact lenses and glasses with frames from designers including Ray-Ban®, Michael Kors®, and Kate Spade®. To learn more, visit the website, or make an appointment at (702) 718-2020.