Treating Amblyopia in Adults: Regaining Vision at Any Age

Amblyopia (lazy eye) is a visual condition that develops in childhood, most often before the age of eight, due to an issue in visual–neurological development between the eyes and the brain. It usually affects one eye and is not caused by an underlying organic disease in the eye itself. Amblyopia is one of the most common causes of unequal vision between the two eyes.

Lazy eye occurs when one or both eyes are unable to form strong connections with the brain. Visual acuity in the affected eye drops to a level that may not be fully corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, and vision becomes noticeably blurry and distorted. This happens because the brain starts ignoring the images coming from that eye. Around 1 in every 50 children is affected by amblyopia.

Although it is more common in childhood, adults can also have amblyopia. In many cases, the person has strabismus (eye misalignment), where one or both eyes turn inward or outward instead of pointing straight ahead. Because of this misalignment, the brain suppresses input from the deviating eye and stops processing all the visual signals that come from it, essentially “deleting” images from the misaligned eye. The misalignment itself is not what weakens vision; rather, it is how the brain responds when each eye is looking in a different direction and the person cannot perceive depth properly. Over time, the suppressed eye becomes weak and “lazy” from disuse.

Symptoms of Lazy Eye in Adults

Amblyopia is not always associated with obvious symptoms. A child may be completely unaware that there is a problem with their vision, and it can be difficult for both parents and children to notice signs of lazy eye. This is because the condition typically affects only one eye and may not be accompanied by a clearly visible eye turn. Many cases are discovered incidentally during routine vision screening. The child naturally avoids using the weaker eye and relies almost entirely on the stronger one.

You should schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist if you notice any of the following signs that may suggest lazy eye in adults or children:

There are also several eye disorders that cause eye misalignment, which in turn can lead to amblyopia. In these situations, the patient’s main complaint is usually about poor vision rather than “lazy eye” itself, and the diagnosis is made through comprehensive eye examinations. Such disorders include:

Causes of Lazy Eye in Adults

Our eyes work like cameras: light passes through the lens and reaches the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye called the retina. The retina converts the visual image into electrical signals that travel along the optic nerve to the brain. The brain then combines the images from both eyes and interprets them as a single three-dimensional view of the world around us.

Amblyopia develops when the visual–brain pathways do not form properly. For these pathways to develop correctly, both eyes must send clear, focused images to the brain during the first eight years of life. This allows the brain to build strong, coordinated connections with both eyes so that the visual system can accurately interpret everything a person sees. Lazy eye can arise due to several factors, including:

Amblyopia itself leads to a significant, long-term reduction in visual acuity in the affected eye. If it is detected late, the visual loss is often permanent and not fully reversible. Lazy eye develops during the visual development period in childhood, and refractive errors that are not corrected in this window are difficult to fix later. Suppression of visual input from a misaligned eye negatively affects the normal development of vision in that eye, and over time it becomes amblyopic.

Treatment of Lazy Eye in Adults

Lazy eye can be treated and improved in two main stages:

Many people assume that amblyopia treatment is only effective in children under 12 years old. However, each case must be evaluated individually, and adults can also benefit from appropriate treatment.

Treatment Options for Lazy Eye in Adults

Treatment is usually gradual. If therapy is stopped before the weaker eye fully regains its function, much or all of the improvement can be lost. For this reason, it is important to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your eye doctor for managing amblyopia in adults.

1. Eye Patching

2. Vision Therapy and Eye Exercises

Vision therapy programs often include structured eye exercises to treat strabismus and encourage both eyes to work together (binocular vision). These may involve a series of activities such as:

3. Eye Drops

The goal of using certain eye drops (such as atropine) in amblyopia treatment is to dilate the pupil, alter how light enters the eye, and reduce the clarity of vision in the stronger eye. This encourages the brain to use the weaker eye more. The success rate of this method is comparable to using an eye patch. Drops are especially useful in children who cannot tolerate wearing an eye patch consistently.

Common Misconceptions About Treating Lazy Eye in Adults

Can Lazy Eye in Adults Be Treated? The Answer Is Definitely Yes

It is possible at any age to retrain the brain to accept and combine visual input from both eyes at the same time and form a single, unified image. However, this process becomes more difficult and less efficient as a person gets older, which is why many people believe that amblyopia cannot be treated after puberty. Eye doctors may prescribe an intensive vision therapy program lasting about 6 to 8 months. Success depends largely on the patient’s patience, consistency, and adherence to the prescribed exercises and activities that stimulate the amblyopic eye.

Can Lazy Eye in Adults Be Treated Surgically?

Surgery does not directly cure amblyopia itself. However, strabismus (eye misalignment) surgery may be considered if all conservative measures have been tried and the ophthalmologist is confident that the family has been compliant with treatment. In many cases, treatment fails not because it is ineffective, but because it is difficult for parents to keep up with patches and exercises. Correcting strabismus surgically can straighten the eyes, after which further treatment can be used to improve vision and increase visual acuity.

Exercises to Stimulate the Lazy Eye

Lazy eye (amblyopia) is a common condition, affecting about 3 out of every 100 children. When the brain starts favoring one eye over the other—usually because one eye is weaker or has poorer vision—amblyopia can develop.

Over time, the brain increasingly relies on the stronger eye and stops processing visual signals from the weaker one. For optimal vision, the brain and both eyes must work together. In some cases, amblyopia develops because strabismus is not treated; strabismus involves one eye crossing inward or turning outward. Below are some of the most effective exercises for amblyopia, along with other treatments your eye doctor might recommend.

Pencil Push-Up Therapy (PPT)

In this exercise, you can use a pencil or any pencil-shaped object. It works best if the pencil or object has something distinct on it, such as letters or a small picture. If the person (such as a young child) does not yet recognize letters, choose a pencil with a clear symbol or favorite cartoon character to help them stay focused. PPT can be done alone or with your child. Do not cover the stronger eye with a patch during this specific exercise unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

To perform PPT:

(Here you would follow the step-by-step instructions provided by your eye care professional.)

Coloring Inside the Lines

Many children enjoy coloring, and a coloring book can be an excellent way to incorporate visual exercises. The goal is to encourage your child to color within the lines, not just anywhere on the page. Before starting, have your child sharpen their crayons or colored pencils so that the tips are not dull. To do this exercise:

(Your eye doctor or therapist may provide detailed steps and how long to practice each day.)

The Brock String Exercise

The Brock string exercise trains both eyes to work together and focus on a single target. It was developed by Frederick Brock, a Swiss optometrist and strabismus specialist who passed away in 1972. The exercise requires a Brock string or a homemade version. A typical Brock string is a white cord about 15 feet (4.5 meters) long with several colored wooden beads that can be moved along the string. Do not use an eye patch during this exercise unless specifically advised by your provider.

Once your child is diagnosed with amblyopia, the eye doctor will typically start an intensive treatment program to prevent the condition from worsening. Early detection greatly improves the chances of full recovery; lazy eye is not necessarily a permanent, untreatable condition as many people assume. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam and discuss all available treatment options for your child with an ophthalmologist.