Lazy eye

Amblyopia is an early childhood condition where the child's vision does not develop properly. It usually occurs in one eye, but it can occur in both eyes. Sometimes referred to as lazy eye, amblyopia affects about one in 25 children.

A baby is able to see as soon as it is born, and vision continues to develop up until around the age of seven or eight. After this, no further development occurs until sight deteriorates with age, or after eye injury or disease.

Light rays travel through the lens at the front of the eye, and form images on the retina, which is a light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye. The retina sends messages to the brain so that it recognises the objects we are seeing.

During early childhood it is important that clear images are formed in the eye and are sent to the brain, so that the child's vision develops normally. If there is a problem with this development, it may result in impaired vision (amblyopia).