An estimated 200,000 children in Europe are diagnosed with lazy eye (amblyopia) each year. But how do we arrive at this figure? And how does the diagnosis and screening of children in Europe proceed?

The Diagnosis of Lazy Eye

The diagnosis of amblyopia often begins with a routine examination in young children. An ophthalmologist or optometrist will perform various visual tests to determine whether the two eyes are working together properly and whether there is a difference in visual acuity between the eyes. One of the most common methods is to cover one eye to see how the other eye is functioning. If there is a noticeable decrease in vision in the uncovered eye, this may indicate amblyopia.

In addition, the doctor can use advanced equipment to measure the refraction of light in the eye and to check for other possible causes of reduced vision, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Once the diagnosis is made, a long-term treatment often begins to stimulate the development of the weaker eye.

Screening in Europe

The way children are screened for amblyopia in Europe varies from country to country. In many European countries, visual screening of young children is a standard part of regular health care. This screening often takes place between the ages of three and five, because the brain is still very plastic at this stage and offers the best chance of recovery.

The screening programs can be performed both at school and in daycare centers, or during regular check-ups by the family doctor or pediatrician. This early detection is crucial because treatment is most effective before the visual system is fully developed, usually before puberty begins.

Although some countries place more emphasis on comprehensive and organised screening programmes, there are also regions where access to eye care is less obvious, meaning that some cases of amblyopia may go undetected. Nevertheless, the widespread implementation of screening programmes in Europe results in a few hundred thousand children being diagnosed in time each year. This is around 3 to 5% of all children.

A Nice and Better Solution

Thanks to Vedea Healthware, a new, playful way to treat amblyopia will soon be in development: dichoptic gaming in VR. This innovative method makes it possible for children to improve their vision by playing fun and engaging games, instead of taping. By stimulating both eyes through the games, visual development can be restored in a much more pleasant and effective way. In this way, we pave the way for a more fun and better treatment of lazy eye.