Amblyopia is reduced vision that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, even though the eye itself has no structural disease. It develops in early childhood, when the brain does not receive a clear image from one eye while the visual system is maturing.
The most common causes are strabismus, a difference in refractive power between the two eyes (anisometropia) and high refractive errors. Less commonly, conditions that block vision — such as congenital cataract or ptosis — can also cause amblyopia.
Signs and symptoms
- Often no symptoms at all — the child compensates with the better eye
- Distress or protest when the better eye is covered
- Strabismus
- Reduced vision found during school or primary-care screening
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on age-appropriate visual acuity tests, cycloplegic refraction after drops, and strabismus and fundus examinations. Treatment is planned once the underlying cause is identified.
Treatment options
- Glasses
- Full correction of the refractive error is the first and fundamental step.
- Patching
- Covering the better eye for a set number of hours a day to make the amblyopic eye work.
- Atropine penalisation
- In selected cases, atropine drops in the better eye achieve a similar effect.
- Regular follow-up
- Response is monitored closely; treatment is tapered gradually and recurrence is watched for.
Frequently asked questions
Up to what age can amblyopia be treated?
The earlier treatment begins, the better the chance of success; the best results are usually achieved before school age. Partial improvement may still be possible in older children, so each child should be assessed individually.
When should my child have a first eye examination?
Even without symptoms, every child should have a comprehensive eye examination in the preschool years (ideally around age 3–4). Children with a family history of strabismus or high refractive error, and babies born prematurely, should be examined earlier.
The information on this site is general and does not replace an examination, diagnosis or treatment.