A new review confirms that amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, can affect how well people read. The condition is linked to slower reading speed, unusual eye movements, and increased crowding, where letters appear jumbled together. These reading difficulties go beyond just having poor vision in one eye.
The review looked at studies on people with amblyopia or other binocular vision disorders. It found that reduced viewing conditions, such as blur or low light, and a lack of binocular vision can further impair reading. However, the review did not report on any specific treatments for these reading problems.
Currently, there are no known treatments designed specifically to improve reading in people with amblyopia. This highlights a gap in care. While standard amblyopia treatments like patching or vision therapy can improve visual acuity, they may not fully address reading challenges.
For now, if you or your child has amblyopia and struggles with reading, talk to an eye doctor or vision specialist. They can assess reading skills and suggest strategies to help. More research is needed to develop therapies that target reading directly.