amblyopia

noun

am·​bly·​opia ˌam-blē-ˈō-pē-ə 

: reduced vision typically in one eye that results from the brain suppressing input from the affected eye due to unequal visual signals from each eye (as from strabismus or anisometropia) leading to poor development of visual acuity in the affected eye

Sometimes the misalignment produces double vision. In such cases the brain's solution is to suppress the input from one eye. Eventually this input will wither, and the vision from that eye will become permanently poor—a condition called amblyopia …

—Margaret S. Livingstone et al.

called also lazy eye

amblyopic

ˌam-blē-ˈō-pik 

-ˈä-pik

adjective

Examples of amblyopia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2016, researchers found that temporarily numbing both retinas could reverse vision loss from amblyopia, while a follow-up study in 2021 showed that numbing only the non-amblyopic eye could also improve vision in the weaker eye. — Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025

Anime giant Crunchyroll has partnered with Luminopia, a digital health company that devises new treatments for significant neuro-visual disorders, for a new VR treatment for kids with lazy eye (amblyopia). — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025

Traditional treatments for amblyopia include wearing an eye patch to help build a stronger link with the brain from the child's eye. — PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025

While my amblyopia is here to stay, my love for makeup has strengthened and evolved. — Essence, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek amblyōpia, from amblys blunt, dull + -ōpia -opia — more at mollify

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amblyopia

• atropia
• cecropia
• diplopia
• dystopia
• myopia
• utopia
• cornucopia
• hyperopia
• hypermetropia

Kids Definition

amblyopia

noun

am·​bly·​opia ˌam-blē-ˈō-pē-ə 

: reduced vision in one eye that results from poor development of the part of the brain which serves the affected eye

called also lazy eye

Medical Definition

amblyopia

noun

am·​bly·​opia ˌam-blē-ˈō-pē-ə 

: reduced vision typically in one eye that results from the brain suppressing input from the affected eye due to unequal visual signals from each eye (as from strabismus or anisometropia) leading to poor development of visual acuity in the affected eye

Sometimes the misalignment produces double vision. In such cases the brain's solution is to suppress the input from one eye. Eventually this input will wither, and the vision from that eye will become permanently poor—a condition called amblyopia …

—Margaret S. Livingstone et al.

called also lazy eye, lazy-eye blindness

amblyopic

-ˈō-pik  -ˈäp-ik 

adjective