What Is Lazy Eye?

Lazy Eye Causes

Many people confuse lazy eye with "crossed eyes." However, “crossed eyes” is actually a condition known as strabismus, and it's not the same as Lazy eye. Lazy eye is called a “neurologically active” process because eyesight loss doesn't actually occur in the eye itself, but in the brain.  

Lazy Eye Causes Causes of lazy eye involve poor coordination between the brain and one of the eyes. Lazy eye is an eye problem which usually begins in childhood, and is known medically as amblyopia. The exact causes of lazy eye aren't clearly understood, but there's no question that that the brain doesn't recognize or process images from the amblyopic eye. Typically, lazy eye causes poor or blurred eyesight in an eye that seems normal otherwise.

Lazy eye occurs when there's no transmission or poor transmission of the visual image from the eye to the brain during early childhood. Generally, only one eye is affected, but sometimes both eyes may be deprived of a good, clear visual image.

Lazy eye causes vision problems, in varying degrees, in as many as one in twenty people. About three percent of children under six have some form of amblyopia. Many people who a mild case of lazy eye don't even know it, because vision in their stronger eye is normal. A severe case of lazy eye causes poor depth perception and other vision problems.

Lazy eye diagnosis A series of special visual acuity tests are usually needed to diagnose lazy eye. Since amblyopia often occurs in just one eye, parents often don’t realize their child has it. Many kids with amblyopia go undiagnosed until they're older.

Lazy eye treatment many include drops, and certain vision therapies, including an eye patch. Glasses or contact lenses may help, but they can't completely correct lazy eye.

As a child grows older however, successful treatment of lazy requires more effort, including therapy. Early detection offers the best chance of a positive outcome, although recent research has indicated that amblyopia can be effectively treated up to the age of 17.

Related article: how to correct a lazy eye. 

 

     

 

 

Books and publications about lazy eye causes and lazy eye treatment