What is a lazy eye?
What is a lazy eye?
Amblyopia – or “lazy eye” – is a condition in which the eye and brain do not work together properly. Children with amblyopia develop good vision in one eye and poor vision in the other. 3 to 5% of children in the West have a lazy eye. In the Netherlands, there are approximately 6,000 amblyopic children per year. In the EU, that is approximately 155,000 per year.
Most children with amblyopia are not likely to talk about their eyes. Over time, they get used to seeing well with one eye and poorly with the other.
Amblyopia – or “lazy eye” – is a condition in which the eye and brain do not work together properly. Children with amblyopia develop good vision in one eye and poor vision in the other. 3 to 5% of children in the West have a lazy eye. In the Netherlands, there are approximately 6,000 amblyopic children per year. In the EU, that is approximately 155,000 per year.
Most children with amblyopia are not likely to talk about their eyes. Over time, they get used to seeing well with one eye and poorly with the other.
What happens in amblyopia?
What happens in amblyopia?
From birth, a child’s eyes and brain form vital connections. Anything that blocks or blurs the vision in one or both eyes can slow or prevent the development of these connections.
When this happens, the brain may not fully recognize the images presented by the eyes, resulting in the brain ignoring the images. Because the eye is used less, it becomes weaker, causing it to lose vision (sharpness). This eye is then called “amblyopic.”
From birth, a child’s eyes and brain form vital connections. Anything that blocks or blurs the vision in one or both eyes can slow or prevent the development of these connections.
When this happens, the brain may not fully recognize the images presented by the eyes, resulting in the brain ignoring the images. Because the eye is used less, it becomes weaker, causing it to lose vision (sharpness). This eye is then called “amblyopic.”
What causes amblyopia?
What causes amblyopia?
A number of things can disrupt the normal brain-eye connections and lead to amblyopia, or lazy eye. One of the most common problems is strabismus, or crossed eyes. In this condition, one or both eyes wander inward, outward, up, or down. When the eyes are not aligned, the “straight” eye becomes dominant. The visual acuity of the straight eye remains normal because the eye and its connection to the brain are functioning normally. However, the misaligned or weaker eye does not focus properly and the brain ignores the signal, ultimately leading to amblyopia.
A number of things can disrupt the normal brain-eye connections and lead to amblyopia, or lazy eye. One of the most common problems is strabismus, or crossed eyes. In this condition, one or both eyes wander inward, outward, up, or down. When the eyes are not aligned, the “straight” eye becomes dominant. The visual acuity of the straight eye remains normal because the eye and its connection to the brain are functioning normally. However, the misaligned or weaker eye does not focus properly and the brain ignores the signal, ultimately leading to amblyopia.
Another common cause of amblyopia is anisometropia, or a difference in refractive errors (glasses strength) between the two eyes. One eye is then severely farsighted (hyperopia), nearsighted (myopia) or astigmatic (a form of blurred vision). These problems cause the vision to be blurred, and it is these blurred images that are sent to the brain. Over time, the brain begins to ignore these images, resulting in amblyopia in one or very occasionally both eyes.
Another common cause of amblyopia is anisometropia, or a difference in refractive errors (glasses strength) between the two eyes. One eye is then severely farsighted (hyperopia), nearsighted (myopia) or astigmatic (a form of blurred vision). These problems cause the vision to be blurred, and it is these blurred images that are sent to the brain. Over time, the brain begins to ignore these images, resulting in amblyopia in one or very occasionally both eyes.
Current treatment
Current treatment
First, the patient is prescribed to wear glasses for 18 weeks. After this period, the treatment method is chosen.
At the moment, practitioners have only one effective method to treat amblyopia and that is to cover the good eye (occlusion). For a few hours a day, the good eye is covered with an eye patch so that the weaker eye has to “work harder” so that the neural pathways can still develop better.
In case of mild and moderate amblyopia, occlusion of 2-4 hours per day is started.
In so-called deep amblyopia, occlusion is started for 4-6 hours per day.
In both cases, if the treatment has insufficient effect, the number of hours of taping is increased.
If the vision (visual acuity) of the lazy eye does not improve with part-time occlusion, a decision may be made to patch the eye full-time.
First, the patient is prescribed to wear glasses for 18 weeks. After this period, the treatment method is chosen.
At the moment, practitioners have only one effective method to treat amblyopia and that is to cover the good eye (occlusion). For a few hours a day, the good eye is covered with an eye patch so that the weaker eye has to “work harder” so that the neural pathways can still develop better.
In case of mild and moderate amblyopia, occlusion of 2-4 hours per day is started.
In so-called deep amblyopia, occlusion is started for 4-6 hours per day.
In both cases, if the treatment has insufficient effect, the number of hours of taping is increased.
If the vision (visual acuity) of the lazy eye does not improve with part-time occlusion, a decision may be made to patch the eye full-time.
far from ideal
Research shows: patching is problematic for a number of reasons.
Patching has been the norm for almost 300 years. A child with a patched eye is essentially a severely visually impaired child, often treated for an unnecessarily long time—sometimes years—using an arguably outdated method. Yet, despite its drawbacks, occlusion therapy remains the standard care for children with amblyopia due to a lack of better alternatives. While this approach can be effective if the child consistently wears the patch, it comes with significant disadvantages. It causes stress for parents and children, results in poor compliance, disrupts binocular vision and doesn't improve binocular depth perception.
far from ideal
Research shows: patching is problematic for a number of reasons.
Patching has been the norm for almost 300 years. A child with a patched eye is essentially a severely visually impaired child, often treated for an unnecessarily long time—sometimes years—using an arguably outdated method. Yet, despite its drawbacks, occlusion therapy remains the standard care for children with amblyopia due to a lack of better alternatives. While this approach can be effective if the child consistently wears the patch, it comes with significant disadvantages. It causes stress for parents and children, results in poor compliance, disrupts binocular vision and doesn't improve binocular depth perception.
A new therapy in sight
Vedea brings therapeutic dichoptic gaming as an approach to amblyopia into practice through a software application for VR smartphones that allows you to play special games and do exercises.
Vedea Healthware BV
Europalaan 400
3526KS Utrecht
info@vedea.com
+31 20 210 1064
Go to
Vedea Healthware BV
Europalaan 400
3526KS Utrecht
info@vedea.com
+31 20 210 1064
Go to
Vedea Healthware BV
Europalaan 400
3526KS Utrecht
info@vedea.com
+31 20 210 1064
Go to
Vedea Healthware BV
Europalaan 400
3526KS Utrecht
info@vedea.com
+31 20 210 1064
Go to