KARACHI, July 19: Lack of information and absence of adequate facilities for early diagnosis and timely intervention is noticed to enhance chances of poor vision in one eye or “amblyopia” among local children.

A survey recently conducted by Dr. Shahnawaz Munami, Community Ophthalmologist, Dow Medical College and Civil Hospital, Karachi, revealed that many of the children, particularly belonging to families with little resources, are exposed to amblyopia or lacy eye.

Mentioning that amblyopia is a condition of the eye which develops in early childhood, the ophthalmologist reminded that infants are generally born with sight but require time to learn use of the same.

“However, in early years it often happens that one eye does not develop properly,” Dr. Munami said mentioning that it may also happen that an eye is out of focus and the child is compelled to depend only one of his eyes leading to amblyopia.

“Untreated amblyopia means a lifetime poor vision in one eye that cannot be improved,” he reminded.

Amblyopia has to be treated early in life by an eye specialist, preferably before six years as if treated early enough, it can largely be treated successfully.

According to the ophthalmologist, since vision continues to develop during the first nine years of life, after which the visual system could not be changed, hence parents must ensure regular eye checkup of their children, to avoid the handicap.

The situation could be particularly tragic if something happens to the good eyes, he warned.

Apart from squint and high refractive error, cataract (a clouding of lens that prevents light from being focused properly by the eye) may also lead to amblyopia.

Anything that prevents a clear image from being focused inside the eye can cause amblyopia in a child.

Meanwhile children may also inherit conditions from their parents that lead to amblyopia.

Many children with amblyopia look completely normal and see well with their remaining normal eye.

Since parents may not be able to detect the fault, they have been advised to take their children to teams of ophthalmologists operating in different areas, including remotest parts of the province under Prevention and Control of Blindness Programme, Sindh.

Treatment for amblyopia may involve glasses to correct the blurred vision or help straighten the eyes and patching the good eye.—APP