AllRefer Health - Caring for your Well Being  

Home | About | FAQs | Contact Us

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health  

Diseases & Conditions
Select & Go
 Diet & Nutrition
 Diseases & Conditions 
 Health News
 Injuries & Wounds
 Poisons & Overdoses
 Surgery & Procedures 
 Symptoms Guide
 Special Topics
 Tests & Exams
 Pictures & Images
 Medical Encyclopedia
Google
  Web health.allrefer.com   

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Amblyopia

Amblyopia

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Prevention

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

Complications

Calling Your Health Care Provider

Pictures & Images

Go To Main Page

Alternate Names : Lazy Eye


Definition

Amblyopia is loss of visual acuity in one eye caused by lack of use of that eye in early childhood.

Pictures & Images

Visual Acuity Test
Visual Acuity Test

Walleyes
Walleyes

     See all Pictures & Images
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Amblyopia can be caused by any condition which causes one eye to be favored and the other ignored by the brain. Strabismus (crossed eyes), different refractive errors (farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism) in the two eyes, and childhood cataract are common causes of amblyopia.

The preferred eye becomes dominant and has normal vision. The non-favored eye is ignored by the brain to avoid a clash between the two different images from the eyes. As a result, the visual system in the brain for the non-favored eye fails to develop properly. Some time between ages five and ten, the brain stops growing and the condition becomes permanent.

Strabismus is the most common cause of amblyopia, and there is often a family history of this condition.



Today's Top News Stories

Seniors Having More Sex Than Ever - Jul 09, 2008, 09:00
Study finds big jump in number of those over 70 who are 'doing it'

Men Often Not Told of Severity of Wife's Cancer - Jul 09, 2008, 09:00
Study finds almost 40% say docs never said condition was terminal until near death.

Gene Activity May Explain Deadlier Breast Cancers Among Younger Women - Jul 09, 2008, 09:00
Study finds more than 350 common sets of genes in patients under 45.

Breast-Conserving Surgery Leaves Many Cancer Patients Disappointed - Jul 09, 2008, 09:00
Poor aesthetic outcome after lumpectomy linked to depression, fear, study finds.

A Blood Marker Could Spot Diabetes Risk - Jul 08, 2008, 16:00
Higher levels of fetuin-A were linked to later disease development, study found .


<

^ Top

>


Jump to another section

Definition
Amblyopia Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Amblyopia Symptoms & Signs
Amblyopia Prevention
Amblyopia Diagnosis & Tests
Amblyopia Treatment
Amblyopia Prognosis
Amblyopia Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Astigmatism
Cataract
Farsightedness
Nearsightedness
Strabismus

Review Date : 11/4/2002
Reviewed By : Raymond S. Douglas M.D., Ph.D. Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Main Page of Amblyopia






Featured Topics

Alzheimer's Disease

High Blood Pressure

Crohn's Disease

Impotence

Overactive Bladder


ADAM

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2007 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 09 Jul, 2008