Definition:
The brain and eyes work together to produce sight. If the brain favors one eye — often due to poor vision in the other eye — the weaker eye tends to wander inward or outward. Gradually, the brain may ignore the signals received from the weaker eye. This condition is called lazy eye (or also known as amblyopia).
Diagnosis:
Lazy eye is diagnosed with a thorough eye exam, wherein the doctor will look for a wandering eye, as well as a difference in vision between the eyes or poor vision in both eyes. Special diagnostic tests aren't usually required.
Treatment:
Ideally, lazy eye treatment starts in early childhood — when the complicated connections between the eye and the brain are forming. Depending on the cause and the degree to which the child's vision is affected, treatment options may include: corrective eyewear, eye patches, eyedrops, and surgery.
Symptoms and Signs:
Lazy eye is marked by an eye that wanders inward or outward. The eyes may not seem to work together. When the eyes aren't aligned, poor depth perception is possible as well.
Causes:
The most common culprit is strabismus — an imbalance in the muscles attributed with positioning of the eyes, which can cause the eyes to cross in or turn out. The muscle imbalance stops the eyes from tracking with each other.
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