Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is the lack of development of good vision in one or both eyes. Although it is often associated with crossed-eyes, another common cause is a large difference in the amount of nearsightedness or farsightedness between the two eyes. Symptoms may include noticeably favoring one eye or a tendency to bump into objects on one side. It is also common for there to be no symptoms at all, which is why early comprehensive eye exams for children is recommended.
Lazy eye usually develops before age six, and the good news is that early diagnosis increases the chance for complete recovery. Treatment may include a combination of prescription lenses, prisms, vision therapy and eye patching. Vision therapy teaches the two eyes how to work together, which helps prevent lazy eye from reoccurring.
Lazy eye will not go away on its own. If not diagnosed and treated early (generally before age six), treatment takes longer and is often less effective. To increase the opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment, the California Optometric Association recommends an initial infant eye exam at six months of age and comprehensive eye exams at age two and again before starting school and every other year thereafter.