Amblyopia can be caused by sight differences in the two eyes as a result of refractive error in one eye, strabismus where one eye turns outward or inward, and stimulus deprivation such as a cataract or a drooping eyelid. If an adult had strabismus they would have double vision but when a young child has it the brain will suppress the images from the turning eye. If the turning eye is constant, then the suppression will become permanent and will result in blindness in one eye. Some children will exhibit a few symptoms of vision deficiency. Treatment of amblyopia depends upon the cause.
Refractive error is treated with glasses and patching of the normal eye.
Strabismus is treated by patching of the unaffected eye. It is important for everyone to have the best vision possible. A child with amblyopia does not have a fine sense of depth perception, and if later in life vision is lost in the good eye the person could be left with little or no vision. This is a tragedy that does not need to happen. All young children need to have vision testing at home or by a medical provider we just need to spread the word to all parents and early childhood providers.