13/10/2025
What Is the Cause of Lazy Eye?
Amblyopia can develop from other eye and vision problems. Here are some conditions that may cause amblyopia in a child.
Strabismus
This is when the eyes point in two different directions. One eye may be focused straight ahead while the other turns in, out, up, or down. To avoid seeing double, the child’s brain may learn to ignore the eye that is not focused straight ahead.
Refractive errors
Having a refractive error means being nearsighted, farsighted, or having astigmatism (distorted or blurry vision). If a child has refractive error that is worse in one eye, the child's brain may “turn off” that eye and vision will not develop properly. This can be difficult to tell since the child’s vision seems fine when using both eyes.
Cloudiness in the normally clear parts of the eye
Some children are born with a cataract, where the eye's normally clear lens is cloudy. This can keep vision from developing properly in that eye.
Droopy eyelid
Ptosis, or a droopy eyelid, can block vision in a child’s developing eye and lead to amblyopia.
