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Amblyopia is the term used when vision in one eye is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together (the condition is often known as 'lazy eye'). When a child's sight is impaired, it can have a detrimental effect on their physical, neurological, and emotional development.
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Beneficiaries
Situation
Amblyopia (or 'lazy eye') is the most common cause of visual impairment in children in the UK, affecting approx. 3-4% of the population. Amblyopia most often results from either a misalignment of a child's eye (such as crossed eyes) or a difference in image quality between the two eyes (one eye focusing better than the other). These problems lead to abnormal development of the visual areas of the brain during childhood which, if untreated, can lead to permanent visual deficits.
Solution
This research introduces novel techniques that will, for the first time, measure, monitor and correct visual distortions in children. This will extend our understanding of how more complex visual processes are affected by amblyopia and if treatment (patching an eye) improves all aspects of vision. The results from the research will have an impact on the development of effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of amblyopia