Table of contents:
- What are the signs and symptoms of lazy eye?
- Causes of lazy eyes
- How to diagnose lazy eye?
- How to fix lazy eye?
Lazy eye is a condition that most often occurs as a child. The Mayo Clinic notes that this condition is a major cause of visual disturbances in children. However, if left unchecked, these lazy eyes can carry over into adulthood.
The medical term for lazy eye is amblyopia , a condition in which the brain is more likely to "employ" one eye only. Usually, this is because one eye's vision is worse than the other eye. Unconsciously, the difference in eye health conditions will cause the brain to ignore signals or impulses from the weaker eye, or the eye that is "lazy".
In people with lazy eye, the weaker eye usually doesn't look much different from the other eye. However, under some circumstances, this weaker eye may appear to be "running" in a different direction than the other eye. It is important to remember, however, that the lazy eye is different from the crossed eye or strabismus . However, strabismus can lead to lazy eye, if the crossed eye is used less often than the healthy eye.
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What are the signs and symptoms of lazy eye?
Lazy eye can be difficult to detect unless it is severe. If you or your child has symptoms like these, it could be an early symptom of lazy eye:
- tendency to bump into objects on one side
- eyes that 'run' everywhere, either the inside or the outside
- the eyes don't seem to work together
- lack of ability to estimate distance
- double vision
- frown frequently
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Causes of lazy eyes
Lazy eye is associated with developmental problems in the brain. In this case, the nerve pathways in the brain that regulate vision don't work properly. This situation can occur when the eyes are not used in equal amounts to one another. The following conditions can trigger lazy eye:
- Unrepaired squints
- genetic, family history of lazy eye
- the difference in vision ability is quite far between the two eyes
- damage or trauma to one eye
- drooping of one eyelid
- lack of vitamin A
- corneal ulcers
- eye surgery
- visual disturbances
- glaucoma
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How to diagnose lazy eye?
Lazy eye usually only occurs in one eye. When it first happens, you or your child may not even notice it. Therefore, it is important for you and your child to routinely have your eyes checked by a doctor as early as possible from infancy, even if your child doesn't have any symptoms. The American Optometric Association recommends that you bring your child to have their eyes checked at 6 months and 3 years of age. After that, the child should be routinely checked by an ophthalmologist every two years or more frequently from the age of 6 to 18 years.
The eye doctor will perform a routine eye exam to assess the vision in both eyes. Common tests include reading letters or shapes, following the motion of the light with one eye followed by both eyes, and seeing the eye directly with the available tools. In addition, the doctor may also check visual acuity, eye muscle strength, and how well your child's eyes focus. Your doctor will find out if there is one eye that is weaker or if there is a difference in vision between the two eyes.
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How to fix lazy eye?
Treating the cause is the most effective way to treat lazy eye. You need to help the weaker eye to develop normally. If you or your child has a refractive error such as farsightedness, farsightedness, or cylinder (astigmatism), the doctor will prescribe glasses.
Your doctor may also recommend wearing an eye patch for a healthier eye, so that the weak eye can be trained to see. The eye patch can usually be worn for one to two hours a day. This eye patch serves to help the development of the brain which controls vision. Apart from the patch, the drops can also be put on the healthy eye, causing them to blur for some time, giving the "lazy" eye time to exercise.
If you have crossed eyes, you may have to have surgery to repair your eye muscles. Basically, the sooner the lazy eye is repaired, the better the treatment outcome will be. So, don't hesitate to consult your doctor immediately.
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