Astigmatism and Amblyopia Eyesight Conditions

Our eyes are our most important features. We use them to read emails, watch TV, drive, view pictures, and countless other activities throughout each day. Just as with our health and teeth, they are vital parts of the body that should be maintained and cared for on an annual or semi annual basis. If your eyes are taken care on this routine basis from a young age, you have a less chance of developing an eye disorder such as astigmatism and amblyopia.

Astigmatism is caused by the front surface of the eye (the cornea) being shaped somewhat irregularly. In an eye with no astigmatism, the cornea is shaped perfectly round like a basketball, whereas in an eye with astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more oblong like a football. This causes unequal focusing of different parts of an image, and thus both distant and close objects can be blurry. A mild amount of astigmatism typically accompanies both myopia and hyperopia. Significant astigmatism should be corrected with glasses in children to provide clear vision and/or to help treat amblyopia. Astigmatism is corrected using cylindrical lenses in either eyeglasses or toric contact lenses.

Amblyopia is poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight during childhood. It is sometimes referred to as "lazy eye." Usually only one eye is affected by amblyopia but rarely both eyes can be affected. The condition affects less than 5% of all children and it is correctable if diagnosed and treated early. Normal vision is not present at birth. As a child uses his eyes, the visual system matures and normal vision develops. This maturation requires that a strong connection develop along the nerves that travel between the eye and the brain. The process of visual development continues for about the first eight to nine years of life, and it is most rapid during the first few years. Amblyopia develops when this process of visual maturation is interrupted. If left untreated, the resulting poor vision may be permanent. If treated before the end of the child's visual maturation process, the poor vision can be improved and properly treated.