Amblyopia, often referred to as “lazy eye,” is a vision disorder that usually appears in early childhood. It develops due to a difference between the two eyes; one eye with a stronger prescription than the other, one eye that squints while the other does not, or an eye disease in only one eye, such as congenital cataracts. The weaker or affected eye (due to strabismus or an eye disease) will therefore have reduced visual acuity. The brain will favor the good eye over the other, resulting in poor communication between the affected eye and the brain.
The critical period: childhood
The critical period for treating amblyopia is during the early years of life, generally up to the age of 7 or 8. During this phase, the brain is at its most malleable, allowing it to relearn how to use the “weak” eye. Treatments are therefore generally effective if carried out before the age of 7 or 8.
Conventional treatments include:
- Wearing glasses consistently to correct ametropia (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism).
- Occlusion (eye patch) on the strong eye to force the use of the amblyopic eye.
- Penalizing drops (atropine) to temporarily blur the vision of the dominant eye.
- When applied early, these treatments offer excellent results, in many cases restoring near-normal vision.
Can amblyopia be treated in adults?
For a long time, it was believed that amblyopia could not be corrected after childhood. However, recent research shows that even in adults, some improvement is possible.
Approaches such as:
- Visual therapy (specific exercises designed to stimulate the amblyopic eye),
- Therapeutic video games and digital visual stimulation programs,
- Virtual reality, are opening up new possibilities.
Although the results are generally more modest than in children, they demonstrate that the adult brain retains a certain degree of plasticity.
Limitations of treatment
It is important to note that the effectiveness of treatment depends on several factors: age at the time of treatment, the cause of amblyopia (strabismus, anisometropia, visual deprivation), severity, and consistency in following treatment.
In some patients, significant improvement is achieved, while in others, partial or limited recovery persists despite efforts.
Amblyopia is a condition that can be effectively corrected when detected and treated early. The earlier the intervention, the better the chances of complete vision recovery. In adults, scientific advances offer new hope, although complete recovery remains rare.
The key remains early detection: an eye exam in early childhood can quickly identify signs of amblyopia and allow intervention before the window of brain plasticity closes.
Regular follow-up with an optometrist is therefore essential to protect your children's vision and maximize their chances of recovery.
