deprivation amblyopia

Loss of acuity caused by something that blocks a clear image from reaching the retina during the years of visual development: a congenital or traumatic cataract, a corneal opacity, a complete drooping of one upper lid, or prolonged patching or atropine in a healthy eye. The condition is also called stimulus deprivation or form deprivation amblyopia¹. Without a patterned image the connections between that eye and the visual cortex never develop, and this is the most damaging of the amblyopia mechanisms.

One-sided deprivation is more severe than deprivation of both eyes and often adds a sensory esotropia or exotropia; drooping of both lids does not deprive, because the child lifts the chin to see². The response is urgent removal of the obstruction followed by amblyopia treatment.