Why does amblyopia occur?
Babies are able to see when they are born, but they gradually learn how to use their eyes. Our visual development occurs up to the age of 9 years, which is most critical from birth to 6 years of age. Anything that interferes with a normal image formation on retina in either eye during this period, leads to amblyopia. Both eyes must receive clear images during this critical period. If the image is not clear, the brain shuts off the image which is out of focus and the child depends only on the better eye to see. The good eye and brain will inhibit (block, suppress, ignore) the eye with the blur. Thus, amblyopia is a neurologically active process. The inhibition process (suppression) can result in a permanent decrease in the vision in that eye that can not be corrected with glasses, lenses, or lasik surgery The most common causes of amblyopia are strabismus (an imbalance in the positioning of two eyes) and anisometropia (when one eye has a high plus or minus number) .Strabismus or squint
