AMBLYOPIA
Amblyopia is poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight during early childhood. It is sometimes called "lazy eye."
When one eye develops good vision while the other does not, the eye with poorer vision is called amblyopic. Usually, only one eye is affected by amblyopia, but it is possible for both eyes to be "lazy."
The condition is common, affecting approximately two or three out of every 100 people. The best time to correct amblyopia is during infancy or early childhood.
Factors that can lead to Amblyopia:
Myopia--Nearsightedness
Hyperopia–Farsightedness
Anisometropia–Differences in vision between the two eyes
Astigmatism–Blurring caused by unequal focusing of light entering the eye
Ptosis–A drooping eyelid that partially blocks vision
Media opacity–Something preventing light from entering the eye; e.g. a cataract
Strabismus–When the eyes are not aligned properly; e.g. “crossed eyes”
THE PROBLEM
It is very difficult to test for these factors in a preverbal population. Standard acuity tests require complex motor and cognitive responses.
What can work?
Vision Screening:
When one eye develops good vision while the other does not, the eye with poorer vision is called amblyopic. Usually, only one eye is affected by amblyopia, but it is possible for both eyes to be "lazy."
The condition is common, affecting approximately two or three out of every 100 people. The best time to correct amblyopia is during infancy or early childhood.
Factors that can lead to Amblyopia:
Myopia--Nearsightedness
Hyperopia–Farsightedness
Anisometropia–Differences in vision between the two eyes
Astigmatism–Blurring caused by unequal focusing of light entering the eye
Ptosis–A drooping eyelid that partially blocks vision
Media opacity–Something preventing light from entering the eye; e.g. a cataract
Strabismus–When the eyes are not aligned properly; e.g. “crossed eyes”
THE PROBLEM
It is very difficult to test for these factors in a preverbal population. Standard acuity tests require complex motor and cognitive responses.
What can work?
Vision Screening:
- Quick
- Noninvasive
- Reliable
- Useful with non-verbal children
- Appropriate for all ages
