Amblyopia

Causes

Amblyopia develops when nerve pathways between the brain and an eye aren't properly
stimulated. The brain, in response, favours one eye. Causes include:

• Strabismus (misaligned eyes): The most common cause of amblyopia where the eyes do
  not align properly.
  
• Refractive amblyopia: Caused by unequal refractive errors in the two eyes, despite perfect
  
• Deprivation amblyopia: Occurs when something obstructs light from entering and being
  focused in a baby's eye, such as a cataract.

Symptoms

• One eye wandering inward or outward
  
• Eyes that appear not to work together
  
• Poor depth perception
  
• Squinting or shutting an eye
  
• Head tilting
  
• Abnormal results in vision screening tests

Diagnosis

Dr Kini will conduct a detailed eye examination that may include:

• Testing of each eye's visual acuity
  
• Eye alignment checks
  
• An examination of the interior of the eye
  
• Refraction tests

Treatment Options

Treatment aims at correcting the underlying cause and encouraging the use of the weaker eye.
Options include:

• Corrective eyewear: Glasses or contact lenses can correct vision problems that are causing
  amblyopia.
  
• Patching: Covering the stronger eye with a patch to force the weaker eye to work, which
  helps improve vision.
  
• Atropine eye drops: Used to blur vision in the stronger eye, compelling the weaker eye to
  function.
  
• Surgery: Necessary only in cases of cataract or highly misaligned eyes.

Prognosis

The earlier the treatment begins, the better the chance of recovering vision. Children who
receive treatment before age 7 typically have good recovery of vision, although treatment can
still be effective in older children.