The specialist from Vissum Grupo Miranza, María Concepción Guirao, emphasizes that identifying and treating amblyopia, known as 'lazy eye', before the age of 10 is crucial to prevent irreversible vision loss, as it is a visual development disorder that can only be corrected during childhood.
Amblyopia or lazy eye, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and strabismus are among the most common eye problems in childhood. Most of these disorders can be addressed with good results as long as they are diagnosed in the early years, a stage in which the visual system continues to be in a full maturation process.
Guirao points out that, in the case of lazy eye, the alteration is not limited to the eyeball, but affects the brain, which does not adequately develop the ability to see. In the early years of life, the brain learns to process images coming from the eyes and creates the necessary neural connections to achieve normal vision.
"A brain may not learn to see correctly for different reasons. In some cases, it may be due to the eye structures not functioning properly, as occurs in children with retinal disorders or keratoconus, for example," explains the specialist.
In other situations, the origin of the problem is a refractive defect that leads to amblyopia or lazy eye. "When that defect is corrected through the appropriate prescription, what we achieve is that a clear image reaches the brain. If the brain does not receive a clear image during its development, it cannot learn to interpret visual information correctly," comments the doctor.
Between the ages of 0 and 8, there is a period of high brain plasticity, in which the brain shows a great capacity for visual learning. "If we intervene during this stage, we can solve the problem," adds Guirao.
In this regard, the ophthalmologist warns of the consequences of detecting the disorder too late. "If a child needed glasses and action was not taken in time, although in adulthood the refractive defect can be corrected through surgery, the quality of vision may not always be fully recovered because the brain will not have adequately developed the connections responsible for visual learning."
Prevention starts at home and with good visual habits
In addition to regular eye examinations, the specialist from Miranza reminds that the prevention of certain eye problems is also related to the habits acquired from a young age, in a context where screens and electronic devices are very present in the school routine.
To help prevent and slow the progression of myopia, the doctor advises that children spend, whenever possible, at least two hours a day engaging in outdoor activities. Similarly, she recommends limiting screen time and promoting responsible use of technology.
Guirao adds that "when it is necessary to use a mobile phone, a tablet, or a computer, it is important to do so with good ambient lighting, maintain a distance greater than 20 centimeters from the screen, and take periodic breaks to avoid eye strain."