Amblyopia - Lazy Eye

Question 1

What is amblyopia?

Answer 1

Amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye,” is a developmental disorder where vision is reduced in one or both eyes despite no detectable structural abnormality.

Question 2

What causes amblyopia?

Answer 2

It is caused by abnormal visual input during critical periods of visual development, leading to reduced neural connections in the visual cortex.

Question 3

What are the main types of amblyopia?

Answer 3

Strabismic amblyopia, refractive amblyopia, deprivation amblyopia.

Question 4

What is strabismic amblyopia?

Answer 4

Amblyopia caused by misalignment of the eyes (strabismus), leading to suppression of input from the misaligned eye.

Question 5

What is refractive amblyopia?

Answer 5

Amblyopia caused by uncorrected refractive errors, such as anisometropia, where one eye has significantly different refractive power than the other.

Question 6

What is deprivation amblyopia?

Answer 6

Amblyopia caused by physical obstruction of vision, such as congenital cataracts or ptosis.

Question 7

What is the critical period for visual development?

Answer 7

The critical period is the first few years of life, during which normal visual experiences are essential for proper visual system development.

Question 8

What are the symptoms of amblyopia?

Answer 8

Reduced vision in one or both eyes, often detected during routine vision screening, without noticeable structural abnormalities.

Question 9

How is amblyopia diagnosed?

Answer 9

Through visual acuity testing, refraction, and a full eye examination to exclude other ocular conditions.

Question 10

What is the role of vision screening in detecting amblyopia?

Answer 10

Early vision screening, often at preschool age, helps identify amblyopia and associated risk factors for early intervention.

Question 11

What is the main treatment goal for amblyopia?

Answer 11

To improve vision in the affected eye and achieve binocular vision if possible.

Question 12

What is patching therapy in amblyopia?

Answer 12

Covering the stronger eye with a patch to force the use of the weaker eye, promoting neural connections.

Question 13

What is the role of atropine drops in amblyopia treatment?

Answer 13

Atropine blurs vision in the stronger eye, encouraging the use of the weaker eye as an alternative to patching.

Question 14

What is the significance of early treatment in amblyopia?

Answer 14

Early treatment increases the likelihood of vision improvement because of the brain’s plasticity during the critical period.

Question 15

What is the prognosis for untreated amblyopia?

Answer 15

Untreated amblyopia can lead to permanent visual impairment in the affected eye and loss of binocular vision.

Question 16

What are the risk factors for amblyopia?

Answer 16

Family history, strabismus, refractive errors, premature birth, and conditions causing visual deprivation (e.g., cataracts).

Question 17

How does anisometropia cause amblyopia?

Answer 17

Unequal refractive errors in the eyes cause one eye to provide a clearer image, leading to suppression of the blurrier eye.

Question 18

What is binocular vision?

Answer 18

The ability of both eyes to work together to produce a single, three-dimensional image.

Question 19

What is the role of corrective lenses in amblyopia?

Answer 19

Corrective lenses address refractive errors to improve the quality of visual input in the affected eye.

Question 20

What is occlusion amblyopia?

Answer 20

Amblyopia that develops from prolonged patching of the stronger eye without adequate monitoring of the weaker eye.

Question 21

What is the relationship between amblyopia and strabismus?

Answer 21

Strabismus can cause amblyopia by disrupting binocular vision, leading the brain to suppress input from the misaligned eye.

Question 22

What are potential complications of amblyopia treatment?

Answer 22

Occlusion amblyopia, poor compliance with therapy, and social/psychological impact from patching.

Question 23

What is the role of vision therapy in amblyopia?

Answer 23

Vision therapy involves exercises to improve eye coordination and strengthen neural pathways for the weaker eye.

Question 24

How does amblyopia affect depth perception?

Answer 24

Amblyopia impairs binocular vision, reducing depth perception and stereopsis (3D vision).

Question 25

What is the long-term impact of untreated amblyopia on quality of life?

Answer 25

Reduced vision in one eye can limit career options, impair depth perception, and increase the risk of vision loss if the stronger eye is injured.