{"id":20713,"date":"2023-07-22T15:48:15","date_gmt":"2023-07-22T20:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20713"},"modified":"2023-09-22T15:56:27","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T20:56:27","slug":"what-parents-should-know-about-amblyopia-lazy-eye","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/what-parents-should-know-about-amblyopia-lazy-eye\/","title":{"rendered":"What Parents Should Know About Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Commonly known as lazy eye, <\/span>amblyopia<\/span><\/a> is a vision imbalance where eyesight in one eye is weaker. It is caused by a breakdown in eye and brain communication that occurs between birth and age seven. The brain relies more on the stronger eye, further weakening the \u201clazy\u201d eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amblyopia <\/span>affects 2-3% of children<\/span><\/a>. If doctors detect amblyopia early, it can often be entirely corrected. If not detected, it can permanently affect vision as children grow into adults.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some young people may lack confidence because of an amblyopia diagnosis \u2014 even though it is the <\/span>most common cause of vision loss in children<\/span><\/a>. This lack of self-esteem can cause problems in school, social withdrawal and unnecessarily risky behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a parent, you must speak with children about amblyopia and any other insecurities. Providing education on an amblyopia diagnosis is one way to help children replace fear with knowledge. Education can also teach parents how to properly support their child after an amblyopia diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is amblyopia (lazy eye)?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The term \u201clazy eye\u201d is not accurate<\/span><\/a>, as the problem has little to do with the eye itself. Instead, the problem lies in <\/span>nerve connectivity breakdowns between the eye and the brain<\/span><\/a>. Over time, the brain will ignore images sent by the weaker eye. If it receives different images from both eyes, it will prioritize the stronger eye\u2019s image over the weaker eye. This phenomenon allows amblyopia to grow worse if not immediately treated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Untreated amblyopia can lead to vision complications and severe visual disability in one or both eyes. Over time, it can also cause complete blindness. It\u2019s important to see a pediatric eye doctor if you suspect your child has amblyopia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of amblyopia<\/span><\/p>\n

Doctors can diagnose children and adults with more than one type of amblyopia. The type of amblyopia your child develops will depend on the way their vision is blocked or impaired.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the cause, children can develop any of the <\/span>three types of amblyopia<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n