Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is a frequently seen problem in children. Its prevalence in the general population is approximately 2–4%. A diagnosis of amblyopia is made when, despite a complete ophthalmologic examination showing no organic pathology that could reduce vision, vision cannot be improved. It usually does not cause any symptoms, which is why regular eye examinations in children are important to detect amblyopia at the earliest possible age.
Amblyopia can develop due to strabismus, refractive errors, or lack of visual stimulation. The presence of one or more of these factors causes the image formed on the retina of the affected eye and the signal sent to the brain to be blurred. Over time, the brain ignores the blurred image from the affected eye, leading to lazy eye. Prevention of amblyopia and achieving binocular vision is especially critical during the early years when the neural system is still flexible.
The goal of amblyopia treatment is to achieve normal and equal vision in both eyes and to restore binocular coordination and depth perception. It should always be kept in mind that the earlier treatment begins, the better the results.
The first and most important step in treatment is to address the underlying cause and correct any refractive errors with glasses. If amblyopia persists despite correction of the refractive error, patching therapy is initiated. The duration of patching is determined according to the severity of amblyopia and the age of the patient. After starting patching therapy, the vision in both eyes must be regularly monitored through follow-up examinations.
