amblyopia

noun

am·​bly·​opia ˌam-blē-ˈō-pē-ə How to pronounce amblyopia (audio)
: reduced vision typically in one eye that results from the brain suppressing input from the affected eye due to unequal visual signals from each eye (as from strabismus or anisometropia) leading to poor development of visual acuity in the affected eye
Sometimes the misalignment produces double vision. In such cases the brain's solution is to suppress the input from one eye. Eventually this input will wither, and the vision from that eye will become permanently poor—a condition called amblyopiaMargaret S. Livingstone et al.

called also lazy eye

amblyopic adjective

Examples of amblyopia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One of the primary reasons early detection is vital is because the window of opportunity to treat amblyopia effectively narrows as a child grows older. Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2024 Untreated hyperopia can lead to the development of a lazy eye (amblyopia) or additional vision loss. Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024 Leave a comment View Comments Failing to address eye misalignment, or to provide glasses for a child who needs them, may lead to abnormal visual development or amblyopia, which is a weak, lazy eye. Benjamin Botsford, CNN, 10 June 2024 Sometimes eye muscle surgery is done after amblyopia has already started. Troy Bedinghaus, Od, Verywell Health, 1 June 2024 Failing to address eye misalignment, or to provide glasses for a child who needs them, may lead to abnormal visual development or amblyopia, which is a weak, lazy eye. Benjamin Botsford, The Conversation, 30 May 2024 The support page also notes that people with some medical conditions, like drooping eyelids, changes in eye alignment (i.e., strabismus or amblyopia), or uncontrolled eye movements, may have difficulties using the Vision Pro’s eye tracking. Victoria Song, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2024 Rafferty, 26, was born with amblyopia. Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2021 Addressing amblyopia as early as possible is important. Dagny Zhu, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek amblyōpia, from amblys blunt, dull + -ōpia -opia — more at mollify

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amblyopia was circa 1587

Dictionary Entries Near amblyopia

Cite this Entry

“Amblyopia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amblyopia. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

amblyopia

noun
am·​bly·​opia ˌam-blē-ˈō-pē-ə How to pronounce amblyopia (audio)
: reduced vision in one eye that results from poor development of the part of the brain which serves the affected eye

called also lazy eye

Medical Definition

amblyopia

noun
am·​bly·​opia ˌam-blē-ˈō-pē-ə How to pronounce amblyopia (audio)
: reduced vision typically in one eye that results from the brain suppressing input from the affected eye due to unequal visual signals from each eye (as from strabismus or anisometropia) leading to poor development of visual acuity in the affected eye
Sometimes the misalignment produces double vision. In such cases the brain's solution is to suppress the input from one eye. Eventually this input will wither, and the vision from that eye will become permanently poor—a condition called amblyopiaMargaret S. Livingstone et al.

called also lazy eye, lazy-eye blindness

amblyopic adjective

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