Dr. Arvind Varma is a practicing ophthalmologist who runs a clinic in Nerul, Navi Mumbai. Besides writing on common eye problems, Dr. Varma will also answer specific queries.

What is lazy eye?
When a large refractive error or deviation of eyes (squint) is present in the early years of life, say in the first four, and it has never been corrected, it leads to the formation of a blurred image on the retina. In this situation, the retina is not stimulated to develop to its full potential. It remains weak or lazy. Such an eye even when corrected for its refractive error at a later date cannot see to its full extent and is called a lazy (amblyopic) eye.

What is the treatment for lazy eye?
First of all the refractive error should be corrected. Deviation or squint if present should be corrected if need be with surgery. If only one eye is affected by this disorder, the better of the two is occluded to give maximum stimulus to the lazy retina.

How successful is amblyopic treatment? What is its duration?
If detected and treated early, chances of recovery are fairly good. In case the error is not set right completely, one is assured of no further damage to the eye. However if the problem persists and is left untreated till eight years, the damage could be permanent with no cure. In case of children the problem can be treated with glasses or exercise to be done at home. While treating children with lazy eye, it is important that parents fully co-operate with the surgeon, since this could be the single most decisive factor in deciding the success of the treatment.

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