Can Laser Eye Surgery Fix A Lazy Eye?

Medically reviewed on 9-October-2024

As one of the most common optical conditions, a lazy eye affects around 2 to 3% of children as they develop in their early years.

As one of the most common optical conditions, a lazy eye affects around 2 to 3% of children as they develop in their early years. One question we’re frequently asked here at Optegra is whether laser eye surgery can correct the lazy eye and restore vision to normal.

To answer this question properly, it is necessary to understand exactly what we mean by a lazy eye, establishing the difference between this and other optical conditions. Read on as our experts delve into the topic of lazy eye in adults, and whether it is possible to have laser eye surgery for lazy eye.

What is a lazy eye?

A lazy eye (the medical term is amblyopia) is caused when the eye and brain are not working properly together. In that sense, the terminology is a little misleading, as the condition has as much to do with neurological issues as the eye itself.

There are two primary causes of amblyopia. The first is a misalignment of the eyes, known technically as strabismus. The second is when the eyes have differing amounts of refractive error, called anisometropia. This then causes the brain to favour the stronger eye, resulting in a loss of vision in the weaker eye over time.

It is because the brain favours the stronger eye and suppresses signals from the weaker one that lazy eye tends to occur in one eye.

Read on to understand whether a lazy eye can be fixed.

When does it occur?

Roughly two or three children in every hundred are born with some refractive error or eye misalignment. If left untreated, this can develop into amblyopia over time.

These refractive errors or misalignments can be treated effectively in children using glasses or patches designed to stimulate the weaker eye. However, by the age of seven, some of the pathways that link the eye to the brain are fully developed. If the balance is not redressed by this age, it may be too late, and the lazy eye will persist into adulthood. It is important to have a lazy eye detected when it occurs in childhood.

The Symptoms of a Lazy Eye

It’s important to note a lazy eye does not always present itself due to the symptoms it causes, as it can first be diagnosed during an eye test. However, there are several tell-tale signs of a potentially lazy eye, including:

• Squinting or tilting the head to try and see better
• Poor or blurring vision in one eye
• Poor depth perception
• Eye misalignment
• Falling or bumping into objects

The symptoms of a lazy eye for children may slightly differ, as parents might spot these symptoms when their child is having trouble focusing or using both eyes together. Thisusually occurs between the ages of 2 and 5 when vision is rapidly developing. Misaligned eyes (strabismus) or squinting can also be signs to look out for.

Can Laser Eye Surgery Correct a Lazy Eye?

Once these pathways have been established, it is generally not possible to correct a lazy eye through any means (which includes laser eye surgery). That is because the problematic vision is caused at a neurological level. No amount of treatment to the eye will affect the way your neural pathways use your eyes.

Laser eye surgery could be used to improve the vision in the lazy eye, as it could in any regular eye. But if the brain ignores this organ, it won’t make much difference to the patient.

Most patients with lazy eye are unsuitable for laser eye surgery, those whose vision is better than driving standards when corrected maybe eligible but this is prescription dependent.

Laser eye surgery is an incredibly safe and life-changing procedure that can help correct several conditions including Myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia.

What You Should Consider

It is important to remember, however, that each case is different and only a consultation with an ophthalmic surgeon can give you a clear picture of your circumstances.

Most patients with lazy eye are unsuitable for laser eye surgery. Those whose vision is better than driving standards when corrected may be eligible but this is prescription dependent.

You should also remember that while generally a very safe procedure, with a very small percentage of complications, there are associated risks with any surgery.

Get the right advice

You might have heard or even seen for yourself online that you can treat a lazy eye with laser eye surgery, but you need to be in full possession of the facts before getting your hopes up.

If you have suffered from an uncorrected lazy eye since childhood, the treatment will make little to no difference beyond boosting eyesight in your good eye. But there are circumstances where it can help to prevent the development of a lazy eye later in life. If you need further advice on whether lazy eye treatment could help you, request a consultation to chat with one of our expert ophthalmic surgeons.