Common Vision Conditions Affecting Children |
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Amblyopia, or lazy-eye, is the loss or lack of development of vision in one eye that is unrelated to any eye health problem and is not correctable with lenses. Amblyopia is often associated with crossed-eyes or a large difference in the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness between the two eyes. Amblyopia is generally the result of poor early visual development and usually occurs before the age of eight. It is often due to a failure to use both eyes together. When the images sent by each eye to the brain differ too much, the brain learns to ignore one image. The vision in the amblyopic eye, the eye that is ignored, then becomes weaker from disuse. This condition can be prevented with early detection and treatment of the underlying cause. Once an eye becomes amblyopic, it is not usually fully correctable with lenses alone. The use of prisms or filters in lenses, vision therapy programs, and occluding or covering of the better eye can help stimulate vision in the amblyopic eye and improve visual function. Otherwise, vision in the amblyopic eye may continue to worsen until the eye is virtually unused. The success of treatment increases with early detection. Amblyopia usually only produces a few symptoms. Since it only occurs in one eye, the other eye takes over and the person is usually unaware of the condition. Some signs of decreased vision in one eye or amblyopia in a child may include: - Turning or tilting of the head when looking at objects.
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