Amblyopia

Amblyopia is reduced vision in one or both eyes caused by abnormal visual development during childhood. It persists even when the eye’s structure is otherwise healthy and appropriate optical correction is provided.

Visual cortex: The part of the cerebral cortex that processes information from the eyes. Amblyopia reflects altered development of visual processing in the brain, especially in cortical pathways.
Visual acuity: A measure of how clearly a person can distinguish details at a specified distance. Reduced acuity in one or both eyes is the defining functional finding in amblyopia.
Refractive error: A focusing problem in which the eye does not form a sharp retinal image without correction. Unlike amblyopia, refractive blur can often be corrected directly with lenses, though it may cause amblyopia in childhood.
Stereopsis: The perception of depth created by combining the slightly different images from both eyes. Amblyopia can weaken binocular coordination and reduce stereoscopic depth perception.
Critical period: A developmental window when experience has unusually strong effects on the nervous system. Abnormal vision during early childhood can disrupt visual development while the critical period remains open.
Amblyopia screening: Testing children to detect amblyopia or risk factors before symptoms are noticed. Early detection allows treatment during the years when visual development is most responsive.
Cataract: Clouding of the eye's natural lens that reduces the clarity of vision. A cataract is a structural cause of blurred vision and can itself deprive a child's eye of clear input.
Binocular vision: Visual processing that combines information from both eyes into a coordinated percept. Amblyopia often disrupts the balanced use of both eyes that binocular vision requires.
Strabismus: A condition in which the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. Misalignment can make the brain suppress input from one eye, causing amblyopia.
Cycloplegic refraction: Measurement of refractive error after medication temporarily relaxes the eye's focusing muscle. It can reveal refractive differences that blur vision and contribute to amblyopia.

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