Adult amblyopia or adult lazy eye is a condition of the eye that occurs after the age of 17. According to the Mayo Clinic, amblyopia is a disorder usually diagnosed and treated in childhood. According to Optometrists Network, amblyopia has not been studied sufficiently in adults, but clinical success in treating the condition has been reported for decades. Optometrists Network states improvements are possible at any age, especially if the problem is detected and treated early.
Amblyopia vs. Strabismus
Amblyopia and strabismus are not the same disorder. According to Optometrist Network, strabismus is a crossed or turned eye and amblyopia is a lazy eye. Optometrist Network believes people confuse the two disorders because strabismus can cause amblyopia.
Symptoms
According to Mayo Clinic, the signs and symptoms of amblyopia include an eye that looks inward or outward, eyes that do not work together, and poor depth perception. Amblyopia usually affects only one eye but can affect both. Optometrists Network states this condition is also characterized by poor vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Causes
Amblyopia is not caused by a problem with the eye itself, according to Optometrists Network. The problem exists when the brain doesn't understand the images it receives. Anything that interferes with the clear vision of an eye can cause amblyopia. According to Optometrists Network, the most common causes of amblyopia are strabismus, a crossed eye; nystagmus, a constant moving of one eye; anisometropia, different prescriptions in each eye, and blockage of vision to the eye such as a drooping eye lid or trauma. When one eye sees clearly but the other doesn't, the brain will ignore the eye with poor vision.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Amblyopia is diagnosed through an eye exam. According to Mayo Clinic, the health care provider looks for a wandering eye, differences between vision in each eye and poor vision in both eyes. Optometrists Network states the most important diagnostic tools in diagnosing amblyopia are visual acuity tests.
According to the Mayo Clinic, ideally amblyopia is diagnosed and treated in childhood. Optometrists Network states tha detection and treatment before the age of 2 offers the best outcome, but regardless of age, treatment is simple. The use of glasses, eye drops, eye patching or eye muscle training can usually correct the problem.
Considerations
Amblyopia tends to be genetic and occurs most often in premature infants or children with developmental delays, according to the Mayo Clinic. According to Optometrists Network, if amblyopia is not diagnosed and treated early in life, permanent vision loss and bilateral depth perception loss can occur. The Mayo Clinic states that amblyopia is the most common cause of single-eye vision problems in young and middle-aged adults.
