A Parent Asks About Amblyopia

What are the educational implications of amblyopia? I have a primary–aged student (six years of age) with amblyopia and want to know if this condition would affect his reading and writing. I would appreciate any information you have on this condition.

Carole R., Brooklyn, NY

Robert Wertheimer, M.D., Answers:

Your question calls attention to one of the most common under-diagnosed eye conditions leading to decreased vision in our society.

Development of the visual system begins in utero (before birth) and continues through age eight or nine. Anything which interferes with normal development of good vision before age eight or nine such as a “lazy eye” or cataract, can result in a permanent problem with vision, or amblyopia. In fact, amblyopia is one of the most common causes of decreased vision in this country. Many cases of amblyopia can be corrected if identified and treated before the visual system fully matures. Beyond the age of eight or nine amblyopia cannot be corrected. This is one of the reasons visual screening tests are so important in young children.

Carole, your student with amblyopia is six years old, which means that there is still two to 32 years remaining before full maturation of the visual system and, therefore, still time to try to correct the problem. This may include glasses, patching, or even surgery.

Most of those who have amblyopia have it in only one eye. Since the unaffected eye is usually normal, reading and writing are not affected and these students can go on to have successful, productive careers and lives.

Robert Wertheimer, M.D. is a board certified ophthalmologist in practice in New Jersey. For additional questions about vision problems or lasik he can be reached at ednews1@aol.com.

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