Lazy eye?!?! Why there is no such thing as a “lazy eye.”
When people use the term “lazy eye,” they are usually trying to convey one of three things:
1) The vision is poor despite the use of glasses (amblyopia)
2) The upper eyelid is droopy/falling (ptosis)
3) The eyes are pointing in different directions (strabismus).
Because “lazy eye” can mean so many things, it actually means no one thing! In life – and in medicine – the manner in which we express our thoughts says a lot about how we understand (and how well we understand) a given thought. For an eye doctor to use the term “lazy eye” as a descriptor is actually a disservice to the person seeking help; patients should be educated (at least) in the basics of what afflicts them and what the treatment options are. It is reasonable for a non-medical professional to use the term “lazy eye,” but hopefully, having read this brief blog you will better understand that “lazy eye” is actually a lazy phrase and should be retired! Instead of “lazy eye,” show off your education with terms such as amblyopia (poor vision despite the use of glasses), ptosis (a droopy/falling upper eyelid) and strabismus (the eyes are pointing in different directions).
One final note… if your “eye doctor” persists in using the term “lazy eye,” you might want to consider a second opinion. It speaks volumes as to their understanding – or ability to communicate – if they insist on using so broad a term. For example, if you hired a contractor to install a wall and the contractor referred to all hammers, nails and wallboard interchangeably as “those things,” you would likely wonder if he knew how to do his job. If your eye doctor calls everything a “lazy eye,” this is cause for pause. Just something to consider…