In general, most of the amblyopic people have been dealing with that vision impairment since early infancy, though we forgot that it's not always the case. Me, as a strabismic amblyopic since birth I used to believe that amblyopia could be develop only in childhood, but one day, I saw someone who used to be 100% visual healthy that out of a sudden started to dealing with amblyopia and strabismus. It made me reconsidered what I thought to be true and I wonder: Can you develop a lazy eye in adulthood?
Straight to the point: Can you get a lazy eye as an adult?
Yes, it is indeed possible for adults to develop a lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, later in life. This condition, typically associated with childhood, can manifest in adulthood due to various underlying causes. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options is crucial for managing and mitigating the effects of amblyopia in adults.
Understanding and Managing Lazy Eye in Adulthood
Causes of Lazy Eye in Adulthood
Amblyopia in adults can be triggered by several factors:
- Eye Injuries or Trauma: Physical damage to the eye can disrupt normal vision.
- Eye Conditions: Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration can lead to amblyopia.
- Refractive Errors: Uncorrected nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can cause amblyopia.
- Neurological Impairments: Issues affecting the nervous system can impair vision.
- History of Childhood Amblyopia or Strabismus: Amblyopia that was untreated or inadequately treated in childhood can reemerge or worsen in adulthood.
Symptoms of Lazy Eye developed as an Adult
The symptoms of adult amblyopia can include:
- Reduced Visual Acuity: Decreased sharpness of vision.
- Diplopia: Recurring double vision.
- Issues with Depth Perception: Difficulty judging distances.
- Abnormal Eye Movements: Irregular eye movements, especially during reading.
- Visual Decision-Making Challenges: Problems with tasks like driving that require quick visual processing.
- Clumsiness: Difficulty in activities requiring precise hand-eye coordination, such as throwing or catching objects.
- Bumping into Objects: Increased incidents of bumping into objects due to impaired peripheral vision.
Diagnosing Amblyopia in Adults
An optometrist can perform a functional vision exam to diagnose amblyopia. This comprehensive assessment evaluates visual information processing, binocular function, and other crucial visual skills.
Treatment Options for Adult Lazy Eye
Treating amblyopia in adults can be challenging but not impossible. Treatment options include:
Vision Therapy
Customized exercises designed to improve visual skills and brain-eye coordination.
A new hope for adult lazy eye powered by VR

Visual therapy is the treatment that has demonstrated the best results for adult lazy eye, and it's the option that has brought hope back to me, and I strongly believe it would do the same for you. Amblyopia is a binocular dysfunction, so you will surely need vision therapy to really solve the problem, start using both of your eyes, and achieve 3D perception (which is the end goal). At AvalonWeb.com.au, we are proud to offer Equal-Eyes, our innovative at-home VR vision therapy for adult lazy eye and binocular vision dysfunctions. This program provides an engaging platform for patients to improve their visual skills and overcome challenges associated with amblyopia and strabismus.
Patching the Stronger Eye
Covering the dominant eye to force the brain to utilize the weaker eye, thus enhancing its function. The eye patching for lazy eye therapy is better in childhood.
Corrective Lenses
Using glasses or contact lenses to correct refractive errors and improve overall vision. Though, it is worth mentioning that glasses can't fix lazy eye in adults by themselves.
How Common is Lazy Eye in adults?
There are no scientific studies around the amount of people that have developed lazy eye during adulthood. Even though, according to research, amblyopia affects up to 1 in 33 people in the U.S. This translates to approximately 3% children and adults with a lazy eye.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while amblyopia is typically associated with childhood, it is indeed possible for adults to develop a lazy eye later in life due to various factors such as eye injuries, neurological impairments, and untreated childhood amblyopia. Recognizing the symptoms and understanding the available treatment options, such as vision therapy and corrective lenses, can help manage and improve the condition. This insight challenges the traditional notion that amblyopia is solely a childhood condition and highlights the importance of ongoing eye health awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, once a lazy eye has been developed to the point of loosing visual acuity it doesn't worsen with age, but underlying conditions that cause amblyopia, e.g. strabismus, may progress.
Adult strabismus can be due to various factors, including neurological impairments, eye injuries, and health conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
Surgery may help align the eyes but doesn't improve vision. It is often considered a cosmetic procedure.
Yes, newer techniques and treatments can improve vision in adults with amblyopia.