November’s “Glow of the Month” is amblyopia. According to the National Eye Institute, “Amblyopia is the medical term used when the vision in one of the eyes is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together properly.” When one eye develops good vision while the other does not, the weaker eye is called “amblyopic.” It’s often known as “lazy eye.”
Amblyopia is the leading cause of vision loss among children. Usually, only one eye is affected, but amblyopia can occur in both eyes. Amblyopia is a common condition that is best treated in infancy and young children.
Amblyopia treatment is most effective in children under 2 years old, but correction is still possible in older children. Early treatment of amblyopia usually includes eyeglasses, vision therapy or eye patches. Because amblyopia can be diagnosed during regular eye exams, these exams are crucial for early diagnosis of amblyopia and other eye problems in young children.