Causes and Risk Factors
Amblyopia can be caused by any condition or complication that impacts the eye, especially during development. This includes injury to the eye or skull, congenital cataracts, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, or drooping eyelids. That said, there are more major factors that can cause the condition, such as the following:
• Strabismus amblyopia: Also known as a muscle imbalance around the eye, this is the most common reason children will develop lazy eye. The imbalance in the muscle will cause the eyes to cross or turn outwards, preventing vision from working in sync.
• Refractive amblyopia: This is when there is a difference in vision sharpness between the eyes, which is often seen in individuals who have a distinct difference in the prescription for corrective lenses and contacts, regardless of farsightedness or nearsightedness. Sometimes, the discrepancy is due to astigmatism.
• Deprivation amblyopia: This severe type of amblyopia happens when a medical issue in one eye, such as a cloudy section in the lenses, like a cataract, prevents clear vision. Deprivation during infancy needs to be treated urgently, because it can cause permanent loss of eyesight or blindness.
It is important to remember that none of these causes are painful. Since visual acuity is not always affected, the causes are not always immediately detectable. Knowing the additional risk factors, however, can help parents eliminate other causes of eye complications.
