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What amblyopia is
Amblyopia develops when the brain learns to favour one eye during early childhood. The weaker eye may be completely healthy, but the connection between that eye and the brain doesn't develop normally, so vision stays reduced even with the right glasses.
The most common causes are an eye turn (strabismus), a large difference in prescription between the two eyes, or something that blocked vision early in life, such as a droopy eyelid or a cataract.
Signs to watch for
- Often, none. Many children don't notice or complain, because the stronger eye does the work. Amblyopia is usually found during an eye exam.
- An eye that turns in, out, up or down, or wanders when tired
- Squinting, closing or covering one eye
- Tilting or turning the head to see
- Trouble judging depth, such as catching a ball, pouring or using stairs
How we assess it
We measure how well each eye sees, how the two eyes work together, eye alignment and depth perception.
We don't do eye health exams. Before therapy starts, your optometrist or ophthalmologist should confirm the eyes are healthy, because other conditions can also reduce vision. We coordinate with the eye doctor you already see.
How we treat it
Traditional treatment strengthens the weaker eye by patching or blurring the stronger one. Those approaches still have a place, but amblyopia is also a problem of the two eyes not working as a team.
Our vision therapy focuses on binocular (two-eyed) treatment: activities that need both eyes to work together, so the brain stops ignoring the weaker eye. Part of this uses Vivid Vision, a virtual-reality system that shows each eye a slightly different image during games and exercises.
Where needed, therapy is combined with updated glasses and exercises at home.
Common questions
Is it too late for an older child or teen?
Treatment tends to work fastest when started young, but research has shown many children aged 7 to 12 still improve, and teens often do too if they haven't been treated before. Results in adults vary more. After the evaluation we'll give you a realistic picture for your situation.
Is a lazy eye the same as an eye turn?
No. “Lazy eye” usually means amblyopia, which is reduced vision. An eye turn (strabismus) is about alignment. They often occur together, because an eye turn is one of the common causes of amblyopia.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on age, the cause and how much vision is reduced. We'll outline a plan and an expected timeline after your evaluation.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly. If another health professional referred you, bring any reports they gave you.