What is Amblyiopia?

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AMBLYOPIA
WHAT IS AMBLYOPIA?
Amblyopia, known as lazy eye, is a condition that results in low vision that occurs typically in just one eye. Lazy eye results from a dysfunction of the connection between the brain and the eye and how they work together. In this condition, the brain fails to recognize the sight coming from one of the eyes. As this progresses, the brain would then depend more on the stronger one that functions properly while the weaker eye’s vision worsens over time. In some rare instances, amblyopia can affect both eyes (National Eye Institute).
The term “lazy eye” connotes the weaker eye's function and that the stronger eye functions better. The affected eye often moves around, inwardly or outwardly. This does not necessarily mean that people suffering from amblyopia are lazy. People with this condition have no control over their eyes or how the active part works (National Eye Institute).
According to the National Eye Institute, amblyopia usually begins during infancy or early childhood. This occurs when vision during childhood develops abnormally. This condition usually occurs from birth up to 7 years of age (Mayo Clinic). It is the most common cause of kids’ loss of vision and is a common eye problem affecting babies and young children. It is estimated that three out of100 children suffer from it.
During the first few years of life, vision develops. Thus, early diagnosis is crucial to provide treatment for amblyopia as soon as possible. Otherwise, a child suffering from amblyopia would not be able to develop a healthy vision.
CAUSES OF AMBLYOPIA
Amblyopia is secondary to abnormal vision development of the eyes during the early years of life. This occurs due to abnormal changes in the nerve pathways between the brain and the retina behind the eye. As a result, the affected eye or the weak eye receives less visual signals. Over time, this would lead to a decreased ability for both eyes to function effectively together. There would also be a decreased brain response with the input coming from the weaker eye (Mayo Clinic).
A lazy eye can result from anything that causes blur vision or making the eye move inwardly or turn out. This can also develop as a result of other eye conditions and vision problems. Conditions resulting in amblyopia include strabismus, refractive errors, droopy eyelid, cataract, or some cloudiness in exact parts of the eye (Boyd).
* Strabismus:
This condition pertains to the movement of the eyes in two different directions due to imbalances in the muscles of the eyes (). Typically, both eyes move together, pointing to one direction as a pair. However, in this condition, both eyes fail to line up. This can be illustrated in which an eye points straight ahead while the other eye turns inward, outward, upward, and downward. To avoid double vision, the affected individual's brain usually compensates by ignoring the image input from the eye that is not directing straight ahead (Boyd).
As a consequence, this misaligned eye would not be able to develop naturally. This condition is attributed to the most common cause of lazy eye. Amblyopia resulting from strabismus is referred to as strab...