Is your child squinting or turning one eye inward? These could be signs of lazy eye, also known as amblyopia. This condition can lead to significant visual problems for your child if left untreated. New Vision Optical Wilmette in Wilmette, IL, can evaluate your child’s eyes and correct amblyopia with prescription lenses. Continue reading to learn about lazy eye and how an optometrist can treat it.

What Is Lazy Eye?

A lazy eye occurs when one eye fails to develop correctly alongside the other eye. This condition can be due to eye misalignment, refractive vision errors, and childhood cataracts. Children with amblyopia often experience blurry or poor vision in the affected eye, leading to their brains favoring the stronger eye over the weaker one. They may also experience frequent squinting or eye turning, poorer performance in school, and difficulty seeing in 3D. While amblyopia typically develops during childhood, this condition can also emerge later in life.

Three Types of Lazy Eye

The three primary types of amblyopia are strabismic, refractive, and deprivation. Strabismic amblyopia occurs due to a misalignment in the eyes, causing them to turn constantly. Unequal focusing power between the eyes leads to refractive amblyopia. Deprivation amblyopia is the least common type of the three and happens when a blockage from cataracts reduces vision in one eye.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Early detection improves the prognosis and recovery period for children with amblyopia. Ideally, your optometrist will diagnose the condition between birth and age seven. An early diagnosis is vital for ensuring your child can get the treatment necessary to help their weakened eye gain strength and match their stronger eye. Your optometrist may recommend an eye patch, vision therapy, or glasses to correct the condition. Wearing an eye patch on the dominant eye helps the weaker eye grow stronger. Your child can also wear corrective eyewear, such as glasses or contact lenses, to counter refractive errors. Vision therapy uses specialized exercises to encourage eye coordination.

Contact New Vision Optical Wilmette to Learn More About Lazy Eye Today

Early detection and intervention of amblyopia is vital for ensuring your child’s eyesight develops correctly, so contact New Vision Optical Wilmette in Wilmette, IL, to learn more about this condition and how an optometrist near you can help treat it. Call us and schedule an appointment with our optometry team today at (847) 251-3330 to protect your child’s eye and vision health.