Some individuals considering LASIK wonder whether laser eye surgery can fix an additional eye problem, such as a lazy eye. Will LASIK fix a lazy eye? First, it is important to understand what a lazy eye is and what causes it.
The technical term for “lazy eye” is amblyopia. According to the National Eye Institute, this term is used “when the vision of one eye is reduced because it fails to work properly with the brain.”
Lazy eye is common in children, and, if not treated, will last through adulthood. Young adults sometimes experience monocular, or “one eye,” vision issues that are commonly caused by amblyopia.
When an individual has a lazy eye, the eye itself looks completely normal. However, the brain favors the other eye. In some cases, one eye may not be able to focus as well, or be more nearsighted, farsighted, or more affected by astigmatism than the other, and the brain might begin to “ignore” this eye. This can cause amblyopia, or a lazy eye, to develop.
As with most LASIK questions, the answer to whether LASIK will fix a lazy eye can be answered only by your eye doctor or LASIK surgeon. This is because no patient’s vision is the same and the right vision correction solution for you will depend on your eyes’ unique shapes and degrees of refractive errors. In some situations, while not common, LASIK can be used to correct vision issues that will then subsequently reduce the degree of a patient’s lazy eye.
If you have questions about amblyopia or are wondering if your lazy eye can be corrected through laser eye surgery, contact the team at LASIK Vision Centers of Cleveland for a consultation. We’re happy to help you determine the best vision correction solution for you.
