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Amblyopia

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a condition caused by the poor development of the brain’s visual system during childhood. It refers to the inability of one or both eyes to achieve normal vision, even when refractive errors (such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism) are corrected with appropriate glasses. Since the visual system develops most rapidly before the age of 8, if the eyes are unable to provide a clear image during this critical period to stimulate the brain's visual cortex, or if the clear image is suppressed for some reason, amblyopia can develop. In addition to reduced visual clarity, children with amblyopia may also experience impaired contrast sensitivity, depth perception, binocular vision, and spatial perception. Without timely treatment and training, amblyopia can lead to permanent underdevelopment of the brain's visual system.

Types of Amblyopia

Strabismic Amblyopia

1v1

This type of amblyopia occurs due to strabismus (misalignment of the eyes). When one eye deviates, the brain ignores the image from the misaligned eye and instead relies on the dominant eye, leading to poor development of the amblyopic eye. Esotropia (inward deviation) is more likely to result in amblyopia.

Refractive Amblyopia

1v2

This type is caused by refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. If both eyes have significant refractive errors or a large difference in refractive power between the two eyes, the brain may preferentially use the eye with better vision, neglecting the development of the weaker eye.

Deprivation Amblyopia

1v3

This occurs when the image is blocked from reaching the retina clearly and cannot be transmitted properly to the brain, leading to amblyopia. Common causes include congenital cataracts, ptosis (drooping eyelid), or corneal opacity. Deprivation amblyopia is the least common but often the most severe and difficult to treat. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to improve the condition.

Treatments for Amblyopia

Wearing Glasses or Contact Lenses

Wearing Glasses or Contact Lenses

Wearing corrective glasses or contact lenses helps correct refractive errors in the amblyopic eye, such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.








  • They can correct refractive errors and reduce accommodative strain on the eyes
  • Non-invasive and easy to wear
  • Requires regular adjustments and updates
  • Children may resist wearing them, especially during physical activities
  • Limited effectiveness for some types of strabismus
Occlusion Therapy (Patching)

Occlusion Therapy (Patching)

Patching involves covering the stronger eye with an eye patch to force the brain to use the amblyopic eye, promoting visual development.









  • Simple and effective treatment for amblyopia, encouraging the amblyopic eye to develop
  • Low cost and easy to administer
  • Requires long hours of covering the healthy eye, potentially affecting daily activities
  • Children may resist wearing the patch, requiring patience and supervision from parents
  • This may lead to social discomfort or reduced self-esteem
Vision Therapy

Vision Therapy

It involves a series of specially designed visual exercises and activities to help improve the vision in the amblyopic eye.










  • Helps improve eye coordination and focusing ability
  • Non-invasive, no surgery required
  • It can be combined with other treatments to enhance overall effectiveness
  • Requires long-term, consistent training; results are not immediate
  • Needs professional guidance and equipment
  • Children may find it tedious, requiring encouragement and oversight from parents
Surgical Treatment

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is primarily used for strabismic amblyopia and deprivation amblyopia. Strabismus surgery aims to correct eye misalignment by adjusting the position of the muscles around the eye, helping the eyes work together and reducing the development of amblyopia. If deprivation amblyopia is caused by congenital cataracts, surgery may be needed to remove the cataract and implant an artificial lens to improve vision.


  • Effective for strabismus caused by abnormal eye muscles
  • Clear goal, can quickly improve eye alignment
  • For severe strabismus or when other treatments fail, surgery is often necessary
  • Requires general anesthesia, which carries certain risks
  • Potential for postoperative complications, such as infection or overcorrection of the eye position
  • Multiple surgeries may be necessary to achieve optimal results
  • Post-surgery recovery time is needed, and additional vision therapy may be required
Pharmacological Treatment

Pharmacological Treatment

Atropine eye drops can be used in the better-seeing eye to temporarily blur its vision, forcing the brain to use the amblyopic eye.









  • Non-surgical, some medications can effectively reduce accommodative strain
  • It can be used as an adjunct treatment to enhance the effects of other therapies
  • Potential side effects, such as blurred vision or allergic reactions
  • Limited effectiveness and is usually not the primary treatment method

Treatments for Amblyopia

Wearing Glasses or Contact Lenses

Wearing Glasses or Contact Lenses

Wearing corrective glasses or contact lenses helps correct refractive errors in the amblyopic eye, such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.






  • They can correct refractive errors and reduce accommodative strain on the eyes
  • Non-invasive and easy to wear
  • Requires regular adjustments and updates
  • Children may resist wearing them, especially during physical activities
  • Limited effectiveness for some types of strabismus
Occlusion Therapy (Patching)

Occlusion Therapy (Patching)

Patching involves covering the stronger eye with an eye patch to force the brain to use the amblyopic eye, promoting visual development.






  • Simple and effective treatment for amblyopia, encouraging the amblyopic eye to develop
  • Low cost and easy to administer
  • Requires long hours of covering the healthy eye, potentially affecting daily activities
  • Children may resist wearing the patch, requiring patience and supervision from parents
  • This may lead to social discomfort or reduced self-esteem
Vision Therapy

Vision Therapy

It involves a series of specially designed visual exercises and activities to help improve the vision in the amblyopic eye.






  • Helps improve eye coordination and focusing ability
  • Non-invasive, no surgery required
  • It can be combined with other treatments to enhance overall effectiveness
  • Requires long-term, consistent training; results are not immediate
  • Needs professional guidance and equipment
  • Children may find it tedious, requiring encouragement and oversight from parents
Surgical Treatment

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is primarily used for strabismic amblyopia and deprivation amblyopia. Strabismus surgery aims to correct eye misalignment by adjusting the position of the muscles around the eye, helping the eyes work together and reducing the development of amblyopia. If deprivation amblyopia is caused by congenital cataracts, surgery may be needed to remove the cataract and implant an artificial lens to improve vision.

  • Effective for strabismus caused by abnormal eye muscles
  • Clear goal, can quickly improve eye alignment
  • For severe strabismus or when other treatments fail, surgery is often necessary
  • Requires general anesthesia, which carries certain risks
  • Potential for postoperative complications, such as infection or overcorrection of the eye position
  • Multiple surgeries may be necessary to achieve optimal results
  • Post-surgery recovery time is needed, and additional vision therapy may be required
Pharmacological Treatment

Pharmacological Treatment

Atropine eye drops can be used in the better-seeing eye to temporarily blur its vision, forcing the brain to use the amblyopic eye.






  • Non-surgical, some medications can effectively reduce accommodative strain
  • It can be used as an adjunct treatment to enhance the effects of other therapies
  • Potential side effects, such as blurred vision or allergic reactions
  • Limited effectiveness and is usually not the primary treatment method
💡More Questions About Amblyopia? Contact Us

Strabismus

Strabismus occurs when a person’s eyes are unable to properly align on the same target. One eye looks directly at the object, while the other may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward. This misalignment can cause blurred vision or double vision. If strabismus is not detected and treated early during the visual development period, children may habitually suppress the use of the misaligned eye, leading to poor visual development in that eye, eventually causing amblyopia. Regular comprehensive eye exams are the most effective way to prevent amblyopia and strabismus.

Symptoms of Strabismus

Eye turns or closes in bright light

Eye turns or closes in bright light

Double vision / blurred vision

Double vision / blurred vision

Tilting or turning the head to see clearly

Tilting or turning the head to see clearly

Poor vision and frequent bumping into objects

Poor vision and frequent bumping into objects

Symptoms of Strabismus

3v1

Eye turns or closes in bright light

3v4

Double vision / blurred vision

3v3

Tilting or turning the head to see clearly

3v2

Poor vision and frequent bumping into objects

Causes of Strabismus

1

Family history (heredity)

2

Refractive errors

3

Neuromuscular abnormalities

4

Injury / other diseases

Types of Strabismus

Esotropia / Exotropia

Esotropia / Exotropia

The eyes turn inward (esotropia) or outward (exotropia). This is the most common form of strabismus and can be corrected through surgery.

Hypertropia / Hypotropia

Hypertropia / Hypotropia

The eyes deviate upward (hypertropia) or downward (hypotropia). This type is less common.

Pseudostrabismus

Pseudostrabismus

Pseudostrabismus refers to the appearance of eye misalignment when, in fact, both eyes are properly aligned and focusing in the same direction. This is often related to facial features. The most common form in infants is "pseudoesotropia" (commonly known as "pseudo-crossed eyes"), where the eyes appear to be turned toward the nose.

Intermittent Strabismus

Intermittent Strabismus

Intermittent strabismus occurs when the eyes are not constantly misaligned. At times, both eyes can align normally on a target, but under certain conditions such as fatigue, distraction, or specific situations, one eye may deviate from the normal position.

💡More Questions About Strabismus? Contact Us

Treatments for Strabismus

Wearing Glasses or Contact Lenses

Wearing Glasses or Contact Lenses

They can correct refractive errors and reduce accommodative strain on the eyes.









  • Corrects refractive errors, reducing strain on the eyes
  • Non-invasive, easy to wear
  • Highly effective for certain types of strabismus (e.g., accommodative esotropia)
  • Requires regular updates and adjustments
  • Children may resist wearing them, especially during physical activity
  • Limited effectiveness for some types of strabismus
Surgical Treatment

Surgical Treatment

If other corrective treatments for strabismus are ineffective or unsuitable, simple corrective strabismus surgery may be necessary. This procedure involves repositioning the eye muscles to realign the eyes and restore normal vision. The surgery is performed under anesthesia, and sutures are used to secure the eye muscles in their new position.



  • Highly effective for strabismus caused by abnormalities in the extraocular muscles
  • Clear goal, can quickly improve eye alignment
  • For severe strabismus or cases where other treatments fail, surgery is a necessary option
  • Requires general anesthesia, which carries some risks
  • Post-surgery complications such as infection or overcorrection of eye alignment are possible
  • Multiple surgeries may needed to achieve the best results
  • Post-operative recovery time is required, and additional vision therapy may be necessary
Pharmacological Treatment

Pharmacological Treatment

Certain medications, such as atropine eye drops, can treat specific types of strabismus or in conjunction with other treatments.









  • Non-surgical; some medications can effectively reduce accommodative strain on the eyes
  • It can serve as a supplementary treatment to enhance the effects of other therapies
  • Potential side effects, such as blurred vision or allergic reactions
  • Limited effectiveness and usually not a primary treatment method

Treatments for Strabismus

Wearing Glasses or Contact Lenses

Wearing Glasses or Contact Lenses

They can correct refractive errors and reduce accommodative strain on the eyes.

The treatment typically lasts for several months. In the first 3 months, medication is injected once a month, and further injections are decided based on the patient’s condition. Most patients receiving intraocular injections can maintain or improve their vision, and the safety of this treatment is very favorable.

  • Corrects refractive errors, reducing strain on the eyes
  • Non-invasive, easy to wear
  • Highly effective for certain types of strabismus (e.g., accommodative esotropia)
  • Requires regular updates and adjustments
  • Children may resist wearing them, especially during physical activity
  • Limited effectiveness for some types of strabismus
Surgical Treatment

Surgical Treatment

If other corrective treatments for strabismus are ineffective or unsuitable, simple corrective strabismus surgery may be necessary. This procedure involves repositioning the eye muscles to realign the eyes and restore normal vision. The surgery is performed under anesthesia, and sutures are used to secure the eye muscles in their new position.



  • Highly effective for strabismus caused by abnormalities in the extraocular muscles
  • Clear goal, can quickly improve eye alignment
  • For severe strabismus or cases where other treatments fail, surgery is a necessary option
  • Requires general anesthesia, which carries some risks
  • Post-surgery complications such as infection or overcorrection of eye alignment are possible
  • Multiple surgeries may needed to achieve the best results
  • Post-operative recovery time is required, and additional vision therapy may be necessary
Pharmacological Treatment

Pharmacological Treatment

Certain medications, such as atropine eye drops, can treat specific types of strabismus or in conjunction with other treatments.







  • Non-surgical; some medications can effectively reduce accommodative strain on the eyes
  • It can serve as a supplementary treatment to enhance the effects of other therapies
  • Potential side effects, such as blurred vision or allergic reactions
  • Limited effectiveness and usually not a primary treatment method

Service Features

Clarity Eye Centre Provides Comprehensive Care for You

19 Years of Extensive Experience
Clarity Eye Centre, established in 2005, has been dedicated to providing professional ophthalmic medical services. These include comprehensive eye care such as treatment of eye diseases, cataract surgery, multifocal intraocular lens replacement surgery, vision correction services, and myopia control for children. Over the years, we have accumulated extensive clinical experience, making us one of the leading ophthalmic brands in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Listed Medical Group
In 2022, Clarity Medical Group successfully listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The group is actively expanding its ophthalmic medical business in both Hong Kong and Mainland China. It is also one of the first ophthalmic centers in Hong Kong to introduce innovative technologies and instruments such as SMILE®, SMILE®pro, and myopia treatment devices.
Professional Ophthalmology Team
Established since its inception, Clarity Eye Centre has been dedicated to providing comprehensive ophthalmic medical services. With a professional medical team comprising over 100 ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, and frontline medical staff, the clinic continuously enhances its expertise and knowledge in various ophthalmic fields to offer outstanding and reliable ophthalmic medical services to the public.

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FAQ

  1. Is amblyopia hereditary?
    If parents have risk factors for amblyopia, such as high myopia or significant differences in refractive power between the eyes, there is a chance these factors could be inherited by their children, increasing the risk of amblyopia.
  2. If amblyopia is detected, Is treatment necessary?
    Amblyopia is a neurological development issue. Without timely treatment to stimulate visual nerve development, the condition can cause permanent damage to vision, even with glasses or corrective surgery. It may be difficult to achieve normal vision levels.
  3. Can Corrective Surgery Resolve Amblyopia?
    Since amblyopia is caused by underdevelopment of the visual central nervous system, corrective surgery can address refractive errors in individuals with amblyopia but cannot improve neurological development. Therefore, it cannot completely cure amblyopia.
  4. Can Amblyopia Be Cured If Discovered in Adulthood?
    The visual central nervous system typically stabilizes around the age of 8, making this the golden period for treating amblyopia. The earlier the treatment, the better the chances of success. While treatment in adulthood is not entirely ineffective, the results are less significant than in childhood.