Do I Have Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)?

Do you have poor vision in one eye?

Do you have an eye that wanders inward or outward?

Do you have trouble telling how near or far away something is (a poor depth perception)?

Do you need to squint in order to see clearly?

Do you need to shut one eye to see more clearly?

Do you have to tilt your head to see well?

Do you have a family history of amblyopia, crossed eyes, childhood cataracts or other eye conditions?

Do you have abnormal results of vision screening tests?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have amblyopia. Amblyopia is a medical condition that refers to reduced vision due to improper development of vision in one eye during childhood. It is also known as the lazy eye. It is common in babies and children under 7 years of age. It affects about 3 % of people in the United States, and is a major cause of decreased vision among children. In amblyopia, the brain and eye do not “work together”, and over time, the brain will learn to ignore the image that comes from the amblyopic eye. Amblyopia rarely affects both eyes.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have amblyopia. Amblyopia or the lazy eye is a medical disorder characterized by abnormal development of vision in one eye. There are three types of amblyopia: strabismic, refractive and deprivation amblyopia. The most common is strabismic amblyopia that is caused by poorly aligned eyes. In this case, the brain ignores the image from one eye, leading to amblyopia in that eye. Refractive amblyopia means that there are refractive errors in the eyes (e.g. one eye has nearsightedness, while the other eye does not). Deprivation amblyopia is often caused by the congenital cataract. Diagnosing is based on eye examination.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have amblyopia. Amblyopia is a vision disorder in which the brain cannot recognize the visual input from one eye. Over time, the brain receives information only from the other, stronger eye, while the vision of the "lazy eye" worsens. In some cases, the lazy eye cannot be noticed without an eye examination. A complete eye examination is recommended for all children aged 3 to 5. Amblyopia must be treated as soon as possible. Treatment options will depend on the cause and severity of amblyopia. Treatment includes corrective eyewear, eye patches, Bangerter filter, eye drops and surgery.