DOHA: Parents have been advised by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) to be aware of the symptoms of lazy eye (amblyopia) in their young children and take them for routine examinations at least once in two years.
The signs and symptoms of lazy eye include blurred vision, headaches, one eye that wanders inwards or outwards, eyes that may not appear to work together and poor depth perception.
Rose Antony, Optometrist, Al Wakra Hospital, said, “In cases of lazy eye, there may not be an obvious abnormality of the eye. Lazy eye develops when nerve pathways between the brain and the eye aren’t properly stimulated. As a result, the brain favours one eye, usually due to poor vision in the other. The weaker eye may tend to wander. Eventually, the brain ignores the signals received from the weaker or lazy eye. “Although lazy eye usually affects one eye, it is possible for both eyes to be affected. Sometimes lazy eye is not evident without an examination so it is recommended that parents should ensure their children’s eyes are examined for amblyopia even if they do not complain or present any ocular symptoms (related to eye diseases or vision problems),” she said. Eye screening after birth and vision tests at schools can help diagnose amblyopia to some extent.
A thorough eye examination is recommended between three and five years of age. “In the majority of cases where amblyopia is diagnosed and treated early, the child’s vision improves. The longer the condition is left untreated, the less likely it is for the vision to improve,” said Anthony.
“Lazy eye may be more likely among children born prematurely or with low birth weight, or born in a family with a history of childhood cataracts, squint or serious eye disease. If left untreated, lazy eye can cause permanent vision loss. Lazy eye is one of the most common causes of single-eye vision impairment in young and middle-aged adults,” she said.
The Peninsula
DOHA: Parents have been advised by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) to be aware of the symptoms of lazy eye (amblyopia) in their young children and take them for routine examinations at least once in two years.
The signs and symptoms of lazy eye include blurred vision, headaches, one eye that wanders inwards or outwards, eyes that may not appear to work together and poor depth perception.
Rose Antony, Optometrist, Al Wakra Hospital, said, “In cases of lazy eye, there may not be an obvious abnormality of the eye. Lazy eye develops when nerve pathways between the brain and the eye aren’t properly stimulated. As a result, the brain favours one eye, usually due to poor vision in the other. The weaker eye may tend to wander. Eventually, the brain ignores the signals received from the weaker or lazy eye. “Although lazy eye usually affects one eye, it is possible for both eyes to be affected. Sometimes lazy eye is not evident without an examination so it is recommended that parents should ensure their children’s eyes are examined for amblyopia even if they do not complain or present any ocular symptoms (related to eye diseases or vision problems),” she said. Eye screening after birth and vision tests at schools can help diagnose amblyopia to some extent.
A thorough eye examination is recommended between three and five years of age. “In the majority of cases where amblyopia is diagnosed and treated early, the child’s vision improves. The longer the condition is left untreated, the less likely it is for the vision to improve,” said Anthony.
“Lazy eye may be more likely among children born prematurely or with low birth weight, or born in a family with a history of childhood cataracts, squint or serious eye disease. If left untreated, lazy eye can cause permanent vision loss. Lazy eye is one of the most common causes of single-eye vision impairment in young and middle-aged adults,” she said.
The Peninsula
