Also known as “lazy eye” amblyopia occurs in childhood, developing between birth and seven years of age when one eye is used less than the other, causing reduced vision.
Typically, amblyopia affects only one eye, although in rare cases, both eyes may be affected.
This condition is estimated to affect around 1 in 50 children. There are different causes of amblyopia, with the most common being a muscle imbalance. Strabismus, or strabismic amblyopia, occurs when an asymmetry in the eye muscles causes them to cross over and be unable to work in synchrony with each other.
Refractive amblyopia is called when one eye has significantly reduced vision clarity, a situation that is seen in myopia or astigmatism.