Author
Home > Health > What is the Difference Between Amblyopia and Strabismus?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Amblyopia and Strabismus?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Amblyopia and strabismus are two different eye conditions that can occur in both children and adults. They share some similar characteristics, but they have distinct differences:

Amblyopia:

  • Also known as "lazy eye".
  • A problem with visual acuity or eyesight, even with prescription glasses.
  • Symptoms can include difficulty throwing and catching objects, poor depth perception, clumsiness, shutting or squinting the eyes, head turning or tilting, eye strain, and fatigue with near-sighted work.
  • Types of amblyopia are refractive amblyopia, strabismic amblyopia, and deprivation amblyopia.

Strabismus:

  • Also known as "crossed eyes".
  • A problem with eye alignment, in which both eyes do not look at the same place at the same time.
  • Symptoms can include double vision, loss of vision in one eye, loss of binocular vision and depth perception, learning disability, anxiety, being accident-prone, and more.
  • Types of strabismus are determined by the direction in which the eye turns, such as esotropia and exotropia.

While amblyopia and strabismus are not the same condition, they can sometimes occur together or one can cause the other. Treatment options for both conditions can include surgery, wearing glasses, or undergoing vision therapy. If you suspect you or your child may have amblyopia or strabismus, it is best to seek a professional diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Amblyopia and Strabismus?
  • Comparative Table: Amblyopia vs Strabismus

    • Comparative Table: Amblyopia vs Strabismus

    Here is a table comparing the differences between amblyopia and strabismus:

    Feature Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)
    Description A condition where one eye has better vision than the other, often due to poor vision in one eye or refractive errors A condition where the eyes do not look in the same direction at the same time, often due to eye alignment issues
    Causes Refractive amblyopia is caused by refractive errors in the eyes; congenital cataracts can also cause it The cause can be traumatic or hereditary, and it may be constant or intermittent
    Symptoms There may be no visible signs that one of the eyes is weaker than the other Eyes that do not move in synchrony; trying to look at something by tilting or twisting the head
    Treatments Corrective eyewear, eye patches, orthoptic stimulation, prescription eye drops Surgery, corrective eyewear, eye exercises, Botox injections
    Prevalence Affects between 2% and 4% of children up to the age of 15, and can also affect adults Affects about 13 million people, or about 4% of the United States population

    Both amblyopia and strabismus are functional vision problems that can be treated, but it is critical to catch them early. If you or anyone you know has any of the symptoms mentioned, it is highly recommended to make an appointment to undergo a full visual examination.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.