Signs and symptoms of lazy eye include:
- An eye that wanders inward or outward
- Eyes that may not appear to work together
- Poor depth perception
Although lazy eye usually affects just one eye, it`s possible for both eyes to be affected. Sometimes lazy eye is not evident without an eye exam. If you notice your child`s eye wandering at any time beyond the first few weeks of life, consult your child`s doctor. Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may refer your child to a specialist in eye conditions (ophthalmologist or optometrist). For all children, a complete eye exam is recommended between ages 3 and 5.
Anything that blurs a child`s vision or causes the eyes to cross or turn out may cause lazy eye. There are three common causes of lazy eye:
- Strabismic - The most common cause of lazy eye is strabismus, an imbalance in the muscles responsible for positioning of the eyes. This imbalance can cause the eyes to cross in or turn out. The muscle imbalance prevents the eyes from tracking together in a coordinated way.
- Deprivation - Deprivation lazy eye occurs if there is a problem with one eye, such as a cloudy area in the lens (cataract). This "deprives" the child of clear vision in the eye.
- Refractive - This type of lazy eye is the result of a significant difference between the vision in each eye, due to nearsightedness, farsightedness or an imperfection on the surface of the eye (astigmatism).
These are the types of vision problems typically corrected by glasses or contact lenses. Occasionally, a wandering eye is the first sign of an eye tumor.
Lazy eye tends to run in families. Lazy eye may be more likely among children who are born prematurely or with low birth weight, or who are born in a family with a history of childhood cataracts or serious eye disease.
Left untreated, lazy eye can cause permanent vision loss. In fact, lazy eye is the most common cause of single-eye vision impairment in young and middle-aged adults.
