Amblyopia

1. a condition of the eye commonly referred to as “lazy eye”; vision gradually becomes blurred or distorted to unequal balance of the eye muscles. The eyes do not present any physical clues when a child has amblyopia. Amblyopia

2. Condition • Also known as lazy eye • Caused by muscle imbalance (childhood cataracts) that result in blurred or double vision • It happens because the child’s brain finds the distortion confusing, therefore beings to only recognize images from the stronger eye while ignoring those from the weaker eye • Sight is gradually lost in the weaker eye from the disuse • Affects 2% of children under 10 • Children born to mothers who smoke have a higher risk

3. Signs/ Symptoms • No observable signs in the child’s appearance and/or behaviors • Young children do not notice anything changing in their vision normally which makes them unable to tell anyone • This make its hard to detect without testing • Causes a loss of depth perception

4. Management • Earlier the condition is found, better chance the child will not lose their vision • Detection can be done with routine vision screenings. They will check that: • Child’s eyes let light all the way through • Both eyes see equally well • Eyes are moving normally • Treatment is more successful when condition is diagnosed between six months and two years • If diagnosed before the age of six or seven most of the child’s eyesight can be restored • Children as old as 17 may be able to regain some of their eyesight with treatment • Children wear a patch over the stronger eye until muscle strength in the weaker eye improves • The child may also need glasses, eye drops, and to perform eye exercises

5. Teacher modifications • Teacher may be asked to administer treatments to the student during the day • Teachers must understand the importance of maintaining a child’s treatment schedule • Being supportive of the child’s difficulty with their disorder is a must • While doing treatments, added precautions such as clearing obstacles from pathways and holding the student’s hand to guide them around new spaces may be necessary

6. Classroom Setting • Teacher’s can use this learning experience to develop other students empathy and acceptance for individuals with special needs • Letting students interact with students who have differences then their own help broaden their knowledge and life skills

7. Reference Page • Hamilton, S. (2011, October 26). Amblyopia and your child's eyes. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/eye- health/amblyopia-child-eyes?page=2 • Marotz, L. (2009). Health, safety, and nutrition for the young child. (7 ed., pp. 76-77). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Learning