amblyopia

noun

am·​bly·​opia ˌam-blē-ˈō-pē-ə 

: reduced vision typically in one eye that results from the brain suppressing input from the affected eye due to unequal visual signals from each eye (as from strabismus or anisometropia) leading to poor development of visual acuity in the affected eye

Sometimes the misalignment produces double vision. In such cases the brain's solution is to suppress the input from one eye. Eventually this input will wither, and the vision from that eye will become permanently poor—a condition called amblyopia …

—Margaret S. Livingstone et al.

called also lazy eye

amblyopic

ˌam-blē-ˈō-pik 

-ˈä-pik

adjective

Examples of amblyopia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the primary reasons early detection is vital is because the window of opportunity to treat amblyopia effectively narrows as a child grows older. —Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2024

Untreated hyperopia can lead to the development of a lazy eye (amblyopia) or additional vision loss. —Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024

Leave a comment View Comments Failing to address eye misalignment, or to provide glasses for a child who needs them, may lead to abnormal visual development or amblyopia, which is a weak, lazy eye. —Benjamin Botsford, CNN, 10 June 2024

Sometimes eye muscle surgery is done after amblyopia has already started. —Troy Bedinghaus, Od, Verywell Health, 1 June 2024

Failing to address eye misalignment, or to provide glasses for a child who needs them, may lead to abnormal visual development or amblyopia, which is a weak, lazy eye. —Benjamin Botsford, The Conversation, 30 May 2024

The support page also notes that people with some medical conditions, like drooping eyelids, changes in eye alignment (i.e., strabismus or amblyopia), or uncontrolled eye movements, may have difficulties using the Vision Pro’s eye tracking. —Victoria Song, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2024

Rafferty, 26, was born with amblyopia. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2021

Addressing amblyopia as early as possible is important. —Dagny Zhu, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek amblyōpia, from amblys blunt, dull + -ōpia -opia — more at mollify

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

amblyopia

noun

am·​bly·​opia ˌam-blē-ˈō-pē-ə 

: reduced vision in one eye that results from poor development of the part of the brain which serves the affected eye

called also lazy eye

Medical Definition

amblyopia

noun

am·​bly·​opia ˌam-blē-ˈō-pē-ə 

: reduced vision typically in one eye that results from the brain suppressing input from the affected eye due to unequal visual signals from each eye (as from strabismus or anisometropia) leading to poor development of visual acuity in the affected eye

Sometimes the misalignment produces double vision. In such cases the brain's solution is to suppress the input from one eye. Eventually this input will wither, and the vision from that eye will become permanently poor—a condition called amblyopia …

—Margaret S. Livingstone et al.

called also lazy eye, lazy-eye blindness

amblyopic

-ˈō-pik  -ˈäp-ik 

adjective