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Amblyopia ? Symptoms of Amblyopia


Amblyopia, otherwise known as lazy eye, is a disorder of the visual system that is characterized by poor or indistinct vision in an eye that is otherwise physically normal, or out of proportion to associated structural abnormalities. It has been estimated to affect 1?5% of the population.The problem is caused by either no transmission or poor transmission of the visual image to the brain for a sustained period of dysfunction or during early childhood.

Amblyopia, otherwise known as lazy eye, is a disorder of the visual system that is characterized by poor or indistinct vision in an eye that is otherwise physically normal, or out of proportion to associated structural abnormalities. It has been estimated to affect 1?5% of the population.The problem is caused by either no transmission or poor transmission of the visual image to the brain for a sustained period of dysfunction or during early childhood.

Amblyopia normally only affects one eye, but it is possible to be amblyopic in both eyes if both are similarly deprived of a good, clear visual image. Detecting the condition in early childhood increases the chance of successful treatment.

Most often it results from either a misalignment of a child''s eyes, such as crossed eyes, or a difference in image quality between the two eyes (one eye focusing better than the other.) In both cases, one eye becomes stronger, suppressing the image of the other eye. If this condition persists, the weaker eye may becomes useless. Many people make the mistake of saying that a person who has a crossed or turned eye (strabismus) has a "lazy eye," but lazy eye (amblyopia) and strabismus are not the same condition. Some of the confusion may be due to the fact that strabismus can cause amblyopia. Amblyopia can result from a constant unilateral strabismus (i.e., either the right or left eye turns all of the time).

Some causes of amblyopia include: strabismus (crossed or turned eye), congenital cataracts, cloudy cornea, droopy eyelid, unequal vision and uncorrected nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Amblyopia may occur in various degrees depending on the severity of the underlying problem. Some patients just experience a partial loss; others are only able to recognize motion.Patients with amblyopia lack binocular vision, or stereopsis ? the ability to blend the images of both eyes together. Stereopsis is what allows us to appreciate depth. Without it, the ability to judge distance is impaired.

Symptoms of Amblyopia
Symptoms may include noticeably favoring one eye or a tendency to bump into objects on one side. Symptoms are not always obvious.

Some children with amblyopia may appear to have an eye that wanders or does not move with the other eye. But in most cases, amblyopia does not cause symptoms. Therefore, early detection is important.

Crying or complaining when one eye is covered. Squinting or tilting the head up, down, or sideways to look at something.

Lazy eye is characterized by an eye that wanders inward or outward. The eyes may not appear to work together. When the eyes aren''t aligned, poor depth perception is likely as well.

Most amblyopia is discovered during routine eye screening ? without any symptoms having been noticed. The symptom of amblyopia is decreased visual acuity, but this is not usually found unless the child has her vision checked.

Because it usually causes no symptoms, amblyopia often goes undetected. Unless the child has a misaligned eye or other obvious abnormality, there is nothing to suggest the condition to even the most perceptive parents. The child accepts having one good eye and one poor eye and considers amblyopia to be the normal situation. In most cases, amblyopia must be detected by checking vision.

Clouding of the lens of the eye will cause the image to be blurrier than the other eye. The brain "prefers" the clearer image. The eye with the cataract may become amblyopic.

The eye itself looks normal, but it is not being used normally because the brain is favoring the other eye.

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Author:Richard James
Publication:Health, general community
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:May 19, 2008
Words:691
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