Refractive Error / Amblyopia

Amblyopia

Often called "lazy eye", amblyopia is a developmental imbalance that takes hold during the first years of childhood. The visual brain stays plastic until roughly age eight — and that is the window in which treatment makes the largest difference. When detected early, amblyopia often responds well to treatment.

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What is amblyopia?

Amblyopia is a developmental vision disorder that begins in early childhood. When one eye sends a blurrier or misaligned image, the brain suppresses its input and relies on the stronger eye. Over time, this suppression becomes established, leaving the affected eye with reduced vision even after the original cause is corrected.

SIGNS TO WATCH

Signs of amblyopia in children

If your child squints, tilts their head, or sees poorly, book a consultation today.

One eye seems to wander or drift

Your child tilts or turns their head

Squinting or closing one eye to focus

Bumping into things on one side

Poor depth perception when reaching or catching

Sitting very close to screens and books

Eye strain, headaches, or tired eyes

Reluctance to cover the stronger eye

Why amblyopia is so often missed

Children rarely complain about something they have never known otherwise

Children with amblyopia rarely notice symptoms because the stronger eye compensates, masking reduced vision When detected early, amblyopia often responds well to treatment.

Children may not realise one eye is weaker — the stronger eye compensates for it.
Some school screenings test both eyes together or fail to detect a one-sided problem missing the child whose other eye still sees 20/20
A symmetric refraction can mask amblyopia caused by an intermittent strabismus, where the imbalance is in alignment, not in prescription

Approach and Treatment

How our doctors approach amblyopia

Assessment includes eye-by-eye vision testing, alignment checks, cycloplegic refraction, and fundus examination to confirm amblyopia and exclude structural disease.

Cover test - alignment at distance and near, including intermittent deviations

Cycloplegic refraction - the true prescription, both eyes

Visual acuity - age-matched charts, each eye in turn

What treatment looks like

Patching is the floor, not the ceiling

Treatment starts with glasses, followed by patching or atropine when needed, with regular reviews to adjust therapy based on progress.

Glasses first

Correct the refractive error and reassess the vision.

Patching

Calibrated hours, age-appropriate, parent-supported

Atropine drops

An alternative when patching isn't working

Regular monitoring

The plan is adjusted according to the child's response.

If something's been off — bring them in.

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Meet your specialist

Care led by specialists you'll meet in person.

Lead Ophthalmologist · Cataract and Retina Surgeon

Dr. JD Ferwerda, MD

Dr. JD Ferwerda, MD: Dutch-trained ophthalmologist specialising in cataracts, lens exchange, retinal disease, glaucoma, and AMD.

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Refractive Surgeon

Dr. Artem Kozhechenkov, MD

Russian-trained refractive and general ophthalmologist, leads lasik/ laser vision correction at EEC

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