1 December 2020 Author : Rita Dinis da Gama Amblyopia is characterized by a lack of vision in one eye, often even when the appropriate glasses are used. It is a common problem, affecting about 3%-4% of children. It is the main reason for visual impairment in children and, also, in young and middle-aged adults. What is the cause of amblyopia? Any situation that during childhood interferes with the perception of a clear image or with the normal interaction between the two eyes can cause amblyopia. Thus, amblyopia can happen in : Strabismus; Difference of refractive error between the two eyes. During childhood there is a high plasticity of the visual system and its development is important. When amblyopia that vision development does not occur correctly, it becomes unbalanced. The vision of one eye develops correctly and the vision of the other does not. When there is amblyopia, it is not only the eyes that see badly, but visual system also works in a way that is not normal. Symptoms Adults with amblyopia often feel that they see with only one eye. Children with amblyopia do not complain. In most cases, they do not realize that one eye sees poorly. Therefore, ophthalmic surveillance, including amblyopia screening, is essential to detect this situation. Treatment of amblyopia Amblyopia can be treated in several ways. The choice of treatment depends on the age and severity of amblyopia and can be: Correction of strabismus, by surgery or with botulinum toxin; Use of glasses; Occlusion with a dressing and/or application of drops that cloud the vision of the eye that sees the best, promoting recovery of the eye that sees the worst. The earlier amblyopia is detected, the more treatment options are available and the greater the likelihood that the visual system will recover. Although it is possible to treat amblyopia at any age, the results are much better if the disease is treated before the age of 10. After this age, the ability to recover does not exist and amblyopia becomes irreversible. Ideally, amblyopia screening should be done between 3 and 4 years of age. If your child has not yet been screened for amblyopia , do not be late, you may miss a unique opportunity for recovery. Meet the ophthalmology team from Hospital da Luz network and book your consultation . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
