Amblyopia, also referred to as a lazy eye, is a condition where one eye experiences weak vision. The eyes work in unison to produce clear vision. At times, the brain may only use one eye and ignore the other. The neglected eye begins to weaken, both in vision and in the muscles. As the amblyopia worsens, the affected eye begins to turn inward or outward. This is a common childhood condition, according to the National Eye Institute. Treatment involves eyeglasses and eye patches. Several eye conditions can cause amblyopia.
Strabismus
Strabismus is a condition caused by a weakness in the eye muscles. This weakness causes an imbalance in eye positioning because one eye turns inward or out. This condition tends to run in families. Strabismus is the most common cause of amblyopia, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness occurs when an eye does not focus on objects in the distance clearly. Distance appears blurry for the affected eye. Nearsightedness in one eye may cause amblyopia, states Medline Plus. Both eyes may be nearsighted, but one may have a more severe defect. This may cause the lazy eye to occur, according to the National Eye Institute.
Farsightedness
Farsightedness causes the eye to not see objects nearby clearly. Uncorrected farsightedness in an eye may cause the brain to favor the other eye. Although both eyes may experience farsightedness, one eye may be more severe and cause the amblyopia.
Astigmatism
The cornea is the clear covering on the front portion of the eye. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea curves abnormally. This condition causes blurry vision. Sometimes astigmatism occurs in addition to farsightedness or nearsightedness. Correcting the eye disorder with eyeglasses helps the brain begin to use the eye again after amblyopia occurs.
Cataracts
The function of the eye lens is to focus light. The lens is a clear structure behind the pupil of the eye. A cataract is an eye condition where the lens of the eye appears cloudy. The clouding causes a decrease in light entering the eye. This condition is not common in children, but may already be present at birth. The cloudiness in the eye may cause amblyopia.
