Who Is At Risk For Amblyopia?

Aug. 24, 2009— -- Question: Who is at risk for amblyopia?

Answer: Amblyopia is diagnosed when there is a suspicion that one eye is not seeing as well as the other. This suspicion may occur from parental concern or from a failed vision screen at a pediatrician's office or in the school. Amblyopia is a condition that can occur between birth and age 10, also known as the critical period of visual development. This condition does not occur in adults and is a major cause of usually unilateral vision loss in children. So appropriate referral specifically to a pediatric ophthalmologist is important to identify and treat this condition.