Study finds children with a lazy eye have lower self esteem

Researchers have investigated the connection between a child’s self-esteem and amblyopia.

Writing in JAMA Ophthalmology, the scientists highlighted that children with a lazy eye had a lower self-perception of their academic, social and athletic abilities.

Aiming and catching skills were linked with all three measures of self-worth, while reading speed was linked to self-perception of academic competence.

The authors highlighted that it was unclear whether improvements in sensory abilities following treatment for amblyopia would enhance a child’s sense of self-esteem.

The study involved 50 children with amblyopia between the ages of eight and 14, as well as 13 children without the eye condition but with blur or misalignment of one eye.

A control group of 18 children without any eye condition was also studied.

The authors emphasised that the results indicate the wide-ranging effects of altered visual development for children with amblyopia.