WHAT IS AMBLYOPIA OR LAZY EYE?
Amblyopia is the inability of an otherwise normal eye to see clearly. The more common causes are eyes not working together as in a crossed eye at birth (strabismus), or one eye having an unequal ability to focus creating a blurred image in that eye that prevents normal visual development. Individuals with amblyopia can usually be treated and the vision of the affected eye improved if the underlying cause is diagnosed early enough in life. The treatment instituted may take the form of eye patching, eyeglasses or surgery to prevent permanent loss of vision. Once permanently affected and left untreated, the amblyopic eye will never see clearly and no surgical treatment to reverse the damage will be possible.
