A member asked:

Can a "lazy eye" that has never been treated be fixed?

10 doctors weighed in across 8 answers

Yes: Absolutely- sometimes eye muscle surgery can correct double vision and sometimes you just get a cosmetic result.

Answered 9/28/2016

6.1k views

Thank

Yes and no: If you are refering to lining the eyes up so they point in the same direction, that might be possible with a skilled eye muscle surgery. The other issue is will it work. If the brain decided to shut off the input from that eye(ambliopia), the ability to regain that lost input deminishes with time. A discussion with your eye dr can give you guidance.

Answered 12/20/2012

6.1k views

Thank

Lazy Eye: Unfortunately the eye-brain pathway gets set about age 8. So whatever vision you were capable of at age 8 is is good as it can be now. Patching or surgery or lasik will not help. Sorry.

Answered 12/20/2012

6.1k views

Thank
Dr. Christopher Hood answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Probably not: The brain has a "critical period" where it needs equal input from the two eyes to have them develop well. If you have had amblyopia (ie lazy eye) since you were young, the brain is really the issue and not the eye. If you are an adult, then most likely the vision can not be improved. However, if the eye deviates that may be able to to be fixed with surgery.

Answered 7/30/2015

6.1k views

Thank

Lazy eye: The brain and eye "speak" to each other during the first 8 years of life. If one eye is aimed incorrectly, or has a defect, or a terribly high refraction, the brain will learn to ignore it. This is called amblopia, and is permanent. The peripheral vision is usually good in these cases; the central vision is supressed and cannot recover in adulthood.

Answered 12/20/2012

6.1k views

Thank
Dr. Ali Zaidi answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Unfortunately, no: "lazy eye" or amblyopia results from a lack of proper communication between the eye and the brain. It is usually caused by the brain receiving a clearer image from one eye compared to the other during childhood. The brain pays more attention to the clearer image and "ignores" the blurry one. Over time, this prevents healthy neuronal connections between the eye and brain and one eye becomes lazy.

Answered 12/20/2012

6.1k views

Thank

Lazy eye treatment: If your eye wanders there is surgery that can be done even as an adult that is very successful in straightening your eyes. If your vision is poor, there is often little that can be done as an adult to improve it. Children with poor vision respond very well to patching, but this is not successful once the visual system has matured.

Answered 3/26/2013

6.1k views

Thank

Probably no: Great question. Most believe that there will be no improvement with amblyopia treatment . However some research in israel indicates that adult patching may have benefit. Controversial.

Answered 1/23/2015

6.1k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Is it possible that one accidentally made the eyes lazy?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

What does a cross eyed or lazy eyed person see?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Could the bangs from your hair make your eyes lazy/wandering?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

What causes lazy eye?

6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Can lazy eye get worse?

A doctor has provided 1 answer