After the experience that made me wonder if strabismus is a disability, I started looking for more information to better understand my visual condition. Soon, I stumbled upon the fact that strabismus, as if it were not enough, is usually accompanied by another visual condition: lazy eye, also known as amblyopia. I realized that lazy eye, which is a consequence, might be worse than its underlying cause, which is strabismus. So again, I thought to myself, if strabismus is not a disability per se, maybe: is lazy eye a disability?
Understanding Lazy Eye
Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is a vision development disorder where one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity, even with prescription glasses or contact lenses. It's not consider a disability but rather a medical and visual condition as indicated by the ICD 10 for amblyopia.
It is not considered a disability per se, except in those cases where lazy eye is associated with intense double vision.
Amblyopia, rather than a disability is actually an adaptation of the brain to make sense when two misaligned images are presented to you, as it happens with strabismus.
This condition typically starts in childhood and affects about 2-3% of the population. If left untreated, lazy eye can lead to persistent visual impairment, nevertheless, as of now 2025 it's known that no matter the age of the amblyopic patient, it is never too late to treat lazy eye.
Issues Caused by Lazy Eye
Amblyopia can cause several issues that impact a person's daily life, including:
- Reduced Depth Perception: Difficulty in judging distances and seeing in three dimensions.
- Poor Eye Coordination: Difficulty with tasks requiring good binocular vision like reading and driving.
- Eye Strain: Increased strain on the dominant eye, leading to headaches and discomfort.
Even Though It’s Not a Disability, We Should Work to Overcome It
While lazy eye isn't classified as a disability in a legal or medical sense, it does create significant visual challenges and limitations. Overcoming amblyopia can lead to improved quality of life, better academic and professional performance, and enhanced overall well-being.
Promising New Treatments
Recent advancements in vision therapy offer innovative approaches to treating amblyopia at any age. Notable among these is the Equal-Eyes VR vision therapy program:
Equal-Eyes is a groundbreaking virtual reality vision therapy designed to treat strabismus and lazy eye in adults. Developed by Mark Boyce, an engineer who has firsthand experience with these conditions, this program leverages VR technology to provide engaging and effective therapy exercises that can be done from home.
The therapy focuses on improving binocular vision and depth perception, crucial for overcoming the visual challenges associated with amblyopia. By regularly practicing with this program, individuals can achieve significant improvements in their visual abilities.
Final Thoughts
Understanding lazy eye, or amblyopia, is essential for recognizing the challenges it poses and the importance of addressing it. While strabismus and lazy eye are not classified as disabilities per se, they significantly impact daily life and visual functioning. The good news is that with modern advancements in vision therapy, such as the Equal-Eyes VR vision therapy program, it is never too late to treat amblyopia and improve visual skills. Overcoming lazy eye can lead to a better quality of life, enhanced academic and professional performance, and overall well-being. By addressing these conditions, we can work towards better visual health for individuals of all ages