Pediatric Eye
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) — Early Treatment is Essential
Amblyopia is reduced vision in one eye from abnormal visual development in childhood. It is the most common cause of visual impairment in children — and highly treatable before the critical period closes.
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Signs & Symptoms
- One eye appearing turned or misaligned
- Preferential use of one eye
- Poor depth perception
- Squinting or closing one eye
- Often detected on exam — child may not complain
What Causes This?
- Strabismus (eye misalignment) — most common cause
- Anisometropia — significantly different prescription between eyes
- Deprivation — cataract or eyelid droop blocking vision development
Treatment Options
Glasses Correction
Correcting refractive error is the first step — often sufficient for anisometropic amblyopia.
Patching
Covering the stronger eye forces the amblyopic eye to work — improves vision.
Atropine Penalization
Eye drops in the stronger eye blur it — stimulating the amblyopic eye without a patch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it too late to treat amblyopia in adults?
The treatment window is widest under age 7. Amblyopia treatment after age 10 is less effective but may still produce some improvement. Adult treatment options are expanding.
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Concerned About Your Eye Health?
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Kentaro Yamada, M.D. at Hillcrest Eye Care.