Amblyopia Diagnosis:

"How common is amblyopia?

About 1 in 25 children develop some degree of amblyopia.

How is amblyopia diagnosed and assessed?

Amblyopia can be diagnosed by examining the eyes and testing vision. Different techniques are used to test vision, depending on the age of the child. Also, in particular, children with squint are monitored carefully to see if amblyopia develops.
Children in the UK are usually offered a routine pre-school or school-entry vision check. One of the main reasons for this is to detect amblyopia whist it is still treatable. However, even if your child has had an eye check in the past, tell your doctor if you suspect that vision in one or both eyes has become poor.
A baby or child with a suspected amblyopia is usually referred to an orthoptist. An orthoptist is a health professional who is specially trained to assess and manage children with squint and amblyopia. If necessary, an orthoptist will refer a child to an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) for further assessment and treatment."