Will I Lose Vision if My Lazy Eye (Amblyopia) is Left Untreated?

Last Updated: February 26, 2025

Most people have heard of the term “lazy eye”, but many don’t fully understand what it means. Despite its name, a lazy eye isn’t just an eye that "doesn’t work as hard." Instead, it’s caused by a weaker connection between one eye and the brain, leading to reduced vision in that eye.

Also known as amblyopia, lazy eye most commonly develops in childhood. While it’s usually diagnosed and treated early, some adults go undiagnosed and worry about long-term effects on their vision.

What Causes a Lazy Eye?

To understand lazy eye, it helps to know how vision works. When you look at something, light passes through the lens at the front of the eye and reaches the retina at the back. The retina then converts images into nerve signals and sends them to the brain, where signals from both eyes merge into a single 3D image.

However, if one eye isn’t sending clear signals to the brain, the brain begins to ignore that eye’s input over time—leading to amblyopia (lazy eye).

Common Causes of Lazy Eye:

• Strabismus: An eye muscle imbalance that makes it difficult for both eyes to focus together.
• Refractive Amblyopia: When one eye has a much stronger prescription than the other, causing the brain to favor the stronger eye.
• Stimulus Deprivation Amblyopia: Occurs when an eye is blocked from seeing clearly due to cataracts, glaucoma, or corneal ulcers.

While lazy eye typically develops in childhood, in rare cases, adults can develop amblyopia due to nerve or muscle damage.

Can a Lazy Eye Lead to Vision Loss?

Yes—if left untreated, lazy eye can cause permanent vision impairment. Since the brain begins to ignore input from the weaker eye, that eye doesn’t develop properly. Over time, the affected eye may lose its ability to see altogether.

Potential Complications of Untreated Lazy Eye:

• Permanent Vision Loss: According to the National Eye Institute, amblyopia is the leading cause of single-eye vision loss in the U.S.
• Central Vision Problems: The brain may struggle to process central vision in the weaker eye.
• Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Untreated lazy eye can lead to permanent misalignment of the eyes, making it harder to focus.

Early detection and prompt treatment are crucial to prevent long-term vision loss.

How Is Lazy Eye Diagnosed?

Lazy eye is most commonly diagnosed in childhood during routine eye exams between ages 3 and 5.

Signs of Lazy Eye:

• One eye drifting outward or inward
• Blurred or double vision
• Difficulty judging depth (depth perception problems)
• One eye appearing weaker than the other in photos

If you notice these symptoms—even in adulthood—schedule an eye exam to discuss possible treatment options.

Treatment Options for Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)

The good news? Lazy eye can often be improved with treatment—even in adulthood.

Common Lazy Eye Treatments:

• Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses: Correct underlying vision problems.
• Eye Patching: Covering the stronger eye forces the weaker eye to work harder, strengthening vision.
• Eye Drops (Atropine Therapy): Temporarily blurs vision in the stronger eye, encouraging the brain to use the weaker eye.
• Vision Therapy & Eye Exercises: Strengthen coordination between both eyes.
• Surgery (In Select Cases): Used primarily for strabismus correction rather than improving vision.

Can Adults Get Treatment for Lazy Eye?

Yes! While treatment is most effective in children, adults can still see improvements with therapy and corrective lenses. Many adults who were never treated for lazy eye as children worry about their vision worsening over time.

With over 100,000 procedures performed, Dr. Sonny Goel is a leading refractive surgeon in Baltimore, Towson, and Columbia. He specializes in a variety of eye treatment and procedures to help you see with clarity.

Schedule a FREE consultation to explore your vision correction options.