What is amblyopia?

Amblyopia is a common pediatric ophthalmic condition that typically occurs during the critical period of visual development (usually before the age of 5). It is not caused by structural abnormalities in the eye, but rather by problems in the processing of visual signals between the brain and the eyes. Vision in the affected eye(s) cannot reach normal levels even with corrective lenses, and the main characteristic is best corrected visual acuity in one or both eyes that is below the normal range for children of the same age. It should be noted that untreated amblyopia may lead to permanent visual impairment, affecting a child's learning and daily activities. Therefore, regular pediatric vision screening is crucial to enable early detection and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment.