Understand amblyopia and why early treatment matters

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, happens when one eye develops weaker vision than the other during childhood

Understand amblyopia and why early treatment matters

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, happens when one eye develops weaker vision than the other during childhood

With amblyopia, early care can support stronger visual development

Quickly learn what amblyopia is, the signs to watch for, and the treatment options that may help the weaker eye develop better vision

What is amblyopia?

Also known as lazy eye, amblyopia is the main cause of vision impairment in children. Amblyopia is when the vision in one eye is better than the other so-called ‘lazy eye’. However the lazy eye is otherwise perfectly normal. This is the main cause of visual impairment in children starting at early childhood.

Amblyopia is caused from reduced visual input in one eye during visual development throughout infancy to early childhood. The reduced visual input in one eye is because the eyes and brain are not communicating with each other and the brain starts to favour one eye over the other.

Amblyopia is tough to treat as it requires retraining the brain to trust and rely upon what it has itself defined as a lazy eye. For that reason, it is critical that if you suspect your child has poor vision that they should be seen, observed and treated before 9 years of age by an eye care professional.

Other factors known to contribute to lazy-eye include:

  • Small size & low weight at birth
  • Premature birth
  • Family history of lazy eye
  • Developmental disabilities

Amblyopia is difficult to detect, mainly because your child will not complain of blurry vision. The best way to detect the presence of amblyopia is to get your child screened regularly at an early age by an eye care professional. Symptoms may include the following:

  • Continually shuts/squints/rubs one eye
  • Complain they ‘can’t see’ when one eye is covered
  • An eye is turned (in/out/up/down) – see also Strabismus
  • A white pupil (easily spotted in flash photography)
  • Eyes that shake constantly
  • Tilted head posture
  • Poor depth perception

Treatment of amblyopia involves making the child use their weaker eye (lazy eye) more frequently. This is carried out by making the child wear a patch over the stronger eye up to 2 hours a day (this could be more depending on severity of amblyopia).

Different approaches to the patch involve the use of eye drops, wearing filtered glasses and changing the glasses prescription. All these methods are used to stimulate vision in the weaker eye and help the brain’s visual centres develop more completely.

Clear guidance for your eye care journey

Eye treatment options can vary from person to person. We help you understand what is happening and what care may be right for you

Step 1: REACH OUT

The first step is to book an assessment so your symptoms, concerns, or vision goals can be discussed with the clinic. Give our friendly team a call or use our easy online calendar to book a free assessment.

Step 2: WE’LL MEET

At your visit, our refractive surgeons will examine your eyes, explain the findings, and talk through the treatment options that may be appropriate for your condition and needs.

Step 3: ENJOY COMFORT

After treatment, the aim is to help you see more clearly, feel more comfortable, and manage your eye health with greater confidence. Depending on your condition and treatment plan, this may make daily life feel easier and more manageable.

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Hi, I’m Dr John Males

I’m the owner and principal surgeon at Envision Eye Centre, specialising in laser vision correction, cataract, and corneal surgery. With over 15 years’ experience, I’ve been involved in introducing advanced procedures such as SMILE® and laser-assisted cataract surgery in Australia. I’ve held leadership roles at St Vincent’s Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital, and I continue to contribute to teaching and research through the University of Sydney. My focus is always on delivering safe, precise, and personalised care, using the latest technology to help patients achieve the best possible visual outcomes.

Dr John Males

M.B B. Sc. (Med)(Hons) MMed (Clin Epi) FRANZCO