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Amblyopia

Munima Nasir, MD and Nathan G. Borrero, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Amblyopia is a reduction in visual acuity due to inadequate visual experiences or stimulation during the 1st years of life. It is the most common cause of monocular visual loss in ch...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Squinting of one eye in bright light is the most common symptom, hence the alternative term for strabismus, “squint.”

  • Rubbing the eyes

  • Sitting close to television or computer screen

  • Prob...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Correction of the underlying disorder should be instituted promptly because the condition may become irreversible if the child is >7 years of age. Treatment of amblyopia b...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

All children diagnosed with amblyopia need to be followed for years to prevent recurrence. 

Patient Monitoring

Amblyopia treatment is not a one-time therapy; lapses...

REFERENCES

1
Jonas DE, Amick HR, Wallace IF, et al. Vision screening in children aged 6 months to 5 years: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2017;31...

ADDITIONAL READING

SEE ALSO

National Eye Institute. Amblyopia. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/amblyopia-lazy-eye Accessed March 8 14, 2023. ...

SEE ALSO

Refractive Errors; Strabismus 

CODES

ICD10

  • H53.009 Unspecified amblyopia, unspecified eye

  • H53.029 Refractive amblyopia, unspecified eye

  • H53.039 Strabismic amblyopia, unspecified eye

  • H53.019 Deprivation amblyopia, unspecified eye

  • H53.032...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Amblyopia typically presents between 3 and 6 years, but it needs to be diagnosed as soon as possible if treatment is to be effective.

  • Referral should always be considered if an inequali...

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