Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
Potential long-term impacts of untreated amblyopia on a child's visual development include:
- Permanent reduction in visual acuity in the affected eye, as amblyopia (lazy eye) leads to poor vision development if not treated early.
- Loss of normal binocular vision, which can impair depth perception and stereopsis, affecting the child's ability to judge distances accurately.
- Increased risk of persistent squint (strabismus), which may cause abnormal head posture and psychosocial difficulties.
- Potential for the amblyopic eye to become functionally blind if the normal eye is later damaged, due to the untreated eye never developing adequate vision.
- Psychological and social problems arising from visible eye misalignment or poor vision, impacting the child's quality of life.
Early detection and treatment, such as occlusion therapy or penalization, are crucial to prevent these long-term consequences and improve visual outcomes.
Therefore, untreated amblyopia can lead to lifelong visual impairment and associated functional and psychosocial challenges if not addressed promptly in childhood.
NICE CKS