Approximately 10 million children in the U.S. have a lazy eye. Lazy eye, also called amblyopia, is a neuro-developmental vision condition that usually develops before the age of eight.
Lazy eye occurs when the brain doesn’t equally process visual information from the two eyes, resulting in one eye becoming “lazy” (weaker) This causes blurry vision in the weaker eye, poor depth perception, and difficulty reading even with corrective lenses.
If not treated, the affected eye gets weaker and weaker, leading to permanent vision loss.
Unless the weaker eye points in a different direction from the stronger eye, lazy eye can go unnoticed. Since it’s not easily recognized, it’s critical to know the signs that may indicate your child has a lazy eye.
The following 3 signs may indicate a lazy eye.
- Frequently squints, rubs, or closes one eye
If your child squints, rubs their eye, or closes one eye, especially when outside on a bright, sunny day, these may be signs that one eye is weaker than the other. This behavior may indicate that they are trying to find a way to see more clearly.
- Turns head to one side
Another sign of a lazy eye is when your child watches TV and their head is turned to one side. Since a lazy eye typically affects one eye, your child may turn their head to utilize their stronger eye to see better. This may also happen when they play sports or try to catch a ball, resulting in reduced eye-hand coordination and clumsiness
- Reading difficulties
If you find that your child reads below grade level or refuses to read altogether, this could be a sign of a lazy eye. A lazy eye can cause a child to skip words, lose their place, re-read words, substitute or misread words, and add words to sentences.
A child with a lazy eye has to put in more effort to focus while reading to keep the words clear. In addition, it can impede concentration and prompt fatigue while reading. A lazy eye can turn reading into a chore instead of an engaging activity.
Whether or not your child is showing signs of a lazy eye, all children should receive regular eye checkups. Schedule an eye exam with Cove Eyecare in Copperas Cove. We will evaluate your child’s vision and eye health, diagnose any problems, and begin an effective treatment plan as soon as possible.
At Cove Eyecare, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 254-549-1142 or book an appointment online to see one of our Copperas Cove eye doctors.
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