Children’s Ophthalmology

Chichua Medical Center "Mzera" offers comprehensive vision examinations, refractive diagnostics, and corrections for children and adolescents from infancy.

For many years, the children’s ophthalmology department has been successfully operating in our clinic, providing treatment through both therapeutic and surgical methods.

One of the most common causes of vision impairment in children is lazy eye, known medically as amblyopia. Studies show that this condition affects approximately 5% of adults.

What is Lazy Eye?

At birth, visual acuity is very low but develops to 100% by the age of 5-6 years. Amblyopia occurs when one eye fails to achieve its full visual potential despite being physically healthy.

When one eye cannot properly send visual signals, the brain begins to ignore it. Over time, the activity of this eye diminishes, leading to decreased vision.

Causes of Amblyopia:

• Strabismus (crossed eyes): When the eyes cannot move parallelly and one eye is misaligned, the brain avoids double vision by favoring one eye over the other.
• Refractive problems: If one eye has significant farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism compared to the other, the brain favors the stronger eye, neglecting the weaker one.
• Eye conditions in childhood: Congenital cataracts or eyelid drooping (ptosis) can interfere with normal vision development and result in amblyopia.

Recognizing Amblyopia in Children

Young children may not be able to describe their symptoms. Signs such as strabismus or misaligned eye movements indicate a problem and require examination. Early detection of vision development issues is essential to prevent complications.

Treatment of Lazy Eye

Amblyopia treatment involves two main steps:

• Prescription Glasses: To correct refractive errors and provide clear vision.
• Exercises for the Weak Eye: Designed to strengthen the underperforming eye.

At "Mzera," we provide the necessary exercises and guidance for effective treatment. Early intervention ensures better outcomes and supports proper vision development in children.