What Is Lazy Eye, and Do Children Outgrow It?

Quality vision and healthy eyes are vital for children to aid academic learning and protect them from accidents. Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is a condition that can develop during childhood and impact your child’s quality of life. Lavenburg Medical Group in Newark, DE, and Elkton, MD, can detect this issue through a lazy eye exam and provide treatment. We are here to tell you more about this condition and how lazy eye treatment can correct it.

What Is Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)?

Amblyopia is a condition that occurs when one eye develops incorrectly in early childhood. The brain typically receives signals from both eyes to allow clear vision. However, a lazy eye occurs when one eye sends weaker signals to the brain than the other. The brain may favor the stronger eye over the weaker eye, resulting in worsening vision.

Lazy eye is not a problem that children eventually outgrow. This visual impairment requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. Children with lazy eyes generally have difficulty with their distance vision. Your child may have amblyopia if they tilt their head, shut one eye constantly, or squint to see more clearly. Scheduling a lazy eye exam near me can help diagnose and treat this condition.

Types of Amblyopia

The three types of amblyopia are refractive, strabismic, and deprivation amblyopia. Refractive amblyopia occurs due to a difference in focusing power between the eyes. Your general optometrist can correct this condition with prescription glasses. Strabismic amblyopia happens when the weaker eye shifts out of alignment. Deprivation amblyopia occurs when a cataract or droopy eyelid keeps light from entering your child’s eye. Your child can suffer permanent vision loss without prompt treatment.

Lazy Eye Treatment

Early intervention is vital for correcting problems with lazy eyes and improving your child’s sight. Your child’s lazy eye treatment may involve using an eye patch, wearing corrective glasses, specialty contacts, or vision therapy to strengthen the weak eye. Eye surgery may be necessary to correct your child’s lazy eye if cataracts cause their condition.

See Your Ophthalmologist Near Me at Lavenburg Medical Group for Lazy Eye Treatment

If your child has a lazy eye and you need treatment from an “ophthalmologist near me,” look no further than Lavenburg Medical Group in Newark, DE, and Elkton, MD. We can evaluate your child’s eyes and develop a lazy eye treatment plan to help them see clearly and comfortably again. Call us and schedule an eye exam today at (302) 993-0722.