Also known as lazy eye, amblyopia is a group of conditions characterized by the misalignment of a child eyes. Some of the more common conditions that fall into this category include being cross eyed as well as a noticeable difference in imagery between the two eyes as a result of one eye having better focus that the other one. Essentially, the condition is the result of one eye becoming stronger than the other one as a direct result of the fact that the weaker eye had not developed as effectively as the stronger one during the developmental phase. Amblyopia testing and correction is essential because of the fact that if the condition is ignored, the weaker eye will eventually become completely useless.
There are a number of factors that lead to the development of the condition in an individual. The most common of these causes is known as constant strabismus – which is the constant turn of one eye, or even the blockage of an eye due to trauma or a dropping eyelid. The biggest threat of amblyopia is the fact that, in spite of all the advances of modern medicine, the condition is still completely untreatable even by lasik surgery or glasses and lenses.
Amblyopia testing is essentially accomplished by the doctor detecting a significantly reduced clarity of vision between the two eyes and the tests will serve to show unequal vision in the eyes or even misaligned eyes. Eye exams are the most effective way of drawing the prognosis. If the defect is detected early it is possible to correct it at least to some extent. No child is too young to be put under a vision test so any infants that are at a higher risk than others in developing amblyopia, should be put under the test as soon as they show any symptoms of it. The most common factor that places certain children at a higher risk than others is genetics, where the condition is passed down from one individual to another within the same blood line.
The best way to ensure that a child does not develop the condition at a later stage is to have him or her go through routine eye check ups on a regular basis. Any sign that the eyes are either misaligned or red, swollen or cloudy over a long period of time needs to be taken seriously, especially if the child is below the age of 3.