Amblyopia and wearing glasses

Amblyopia is commonly known as Lazy Eye. Very simply put, Amblyopia is when one eye fails to develop adequate vision in childhood. The amblyopic eye is otherwise physically normal and the problem seems to be in transmitting the image from the eye to the brain. As a result of this, the image is not perceived clearly in one eye. The condition seems to be more of a brain defect rather than a problem with the functioning or structure of the eye. Amblyopia generally affects one eye, but it can affect both eyes too and both eyes would have unclear vision.
The best chance of treatment of Amblyopia is when it is detected in childhood and correct interventions take place.
Those who have Amblyopia experience certain symptoms of which sometimes even they might not be aware of. This is because the stronger eye has normal vision and often compensates for the eye that is not delivering clear images. However the symptoms include poor spatial acuity, depth perception, and decreased sensitivity to contrast and sometimes to motion.
Amblyopia can be the result of various conditions in the eye. These include both eyes having myopia or hyperopia to different degrees, eyes being misaligned and sometimes congenital cataracts that are present from birth.
Amblyopia is a difficult condition to diagnose especially in young children unless there is a misalignment that is obvious to an observer. Ophthalmologists use eye patches to study the eye movement to detect Amblyopia. The earlier it is detected, the better it is for treatment.
Treatment for Amblyopia mainly involves strengthening the weak eye. This is done typically with the use of patches to cover the strong eye which then leaves all the work of sight to be done by the weak eye, thus strengthening it. Even after strengthening the weak eye, periodic patching is required to keep the strength up. Sometimes a person has Amblyopia and is wearing glasses prescribed to increase focus. If this doesn't help then patching is the best course of action.
If the Amblyopia is due to misalignment of the eyes, then the weak eye is strengthened first and then the corrective surgery for the eyes is done.
If the cause is a cataract or tumour then surgery is required first, after which wearing glasses will help improve the focus and patches are used to strengthen the weak eye.
So while there is no direct link between Amblyopia and wearing glasses, glasses are often used to help restore focus to both eyes and also in cases of hyperopia and myopia which maybe present in combination with Amblyopia.
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