Amblyopia is poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight during early childhood. It is commonly called ‘lazy eye’. Usually, only one eye is affected by amblyopia, but it is possible for both eyes to be ‘lazy’.
Search Results for: Eye Conditions
Strabismus (Squint)
Strabismus (commonly known as squints) is a visual defect in which the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other eye turns inward, outward, upward or downward.
Section 1: Early years
Your child’s diagnosis Early diagnosis is good news!—it is important to pick up a child’s vision impairment early. That way you can get the help you need as soon as… Read more
Eye conditions
This page is in development. We will continue to add main eye conditions and provide information around causes, symptoms and treatment.
Myopia (Shortsightedness)
In order to see clearly, light rays from an object must focus onto the inner back layer of the eye. The eye works like a camera. In myopic eye the focusing power of the eye is too strong where the light rays focus in front of the retina. Objects in the distance appear blurry and as they get closer to the eye, are seen more clearly.
Childhood Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition which causes damage to the optic nerve of the eye due to higher than normal intraocular pressure and is relatively rare in children.
Cortical Visual Impairment/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)
CVI is a condition where a reduced visual response occurs due to damage to the posterior visual system in the brain. Typically the eye structure itself is normal. CVI is one of the most common causes of severe visual impairment among children in developed countries.
Congenital Cataract
The natural crystaline lens behind the pupil is largely responsible for focusing images onto the retina (tissue in the back of the eye). The natural lens should be clear and transparent. When this lens becomes cloudy it is called a cataract. This will cause permanent visual loss if it is not treated timely in children.
Enrolment and enquiries
Referrals to BLENNZ can come from a number of sources including: Parents, Teachers, Ophthalmologists, Health professionals, the Blind Foundation, and the Ministry of Education.
Achromotopsia
Achromatopsia is a non-progressive and hereditary visual disorder which is characterized by decreased vision, light sensitivity, and the absence of color vision. In the U.S. it affects about 1 in every 33,000 people.
