Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is a developmental vision disorder in which one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity, even with corrective lenses. It occurs when the brain and the affected eye do not work together properly during early childhood, leading the brain to favor the stronger eye and suppress visual input from the weaker one. Over time, this suppression results in reduced vision in the affected eye that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses alone if not treated early.

Amblyopia typically develops in infancy or early childhood, usually before the age of seven, when the visual system is still maturing. The most common causes include strabismic amblyopia, where misaligned eyes cause the brain to ignore input from one eye; refractive amblyopia, caused by unequal refractive errors between the two eyes; and deprivation amblyopia, which results from conditions such as congenital cataract, ptosis, or corneal opacity that block visual input. In many cases, amblyopia is painless and may go unnoticed, especially if the stronger eye has normal vision.

Children with amblyopia may not show obvious symptoms, making early screening essential. Some signs include squinting, head tilting, poor depth perception, difficulty with reading or hand-eye coordination, and frequent eye rubbing. Because the brain adapts to using one eye, children may not complain of vision problems, and parents may only notice subtle behavioral cues.

Diagnosis involves a comprehensive pediatric eye examination assessing visual acuity, eye alignment, refractive error, and ocular health. Vision screening programs in early childhood play a crucial role in identifying amblyopia before permanent visual impairment occurs.

Treatment is most effective when initiated early, ideally before the age of seven, although improvements can still be achieved in older children and adolescents. The primary goal is to stimulate visual development in the weaker eye and encourage equal use of both eyes. Treatment options include correcting refractive errors with glasses, patching the stronger eye to force use of the amblyopic eye, and atropine eye drops to temporarily blur vision in the dominant eye. In some cases, treating the underlying cause, such as surgery for cataract or ptosis, is necessary before vision therapy begins.

Amblyopia requires consistent treatment and close follow-up to ensure compliance and monitor progress. Untreated amblyopia can lead to permanent vision loss in the affected eye and reduced depth perception throughout life. With early diagnosis, appropriate intervention, and parental support, many children achieve significant improvement in vision and long-term visual function.