Amblyopia in Adults

[JPOKara]

I'm currently 37.  I was diagnosed with amblyopia at age 2.  Obviously, I did the patch thing.  I wore glasses and contacts up until age 21 or 22 at which time I saw my ophthalmologist and was told I have 20/20 vision.  I went to my ophthalmologist two months ago (same one I've seen since the age of 2) for a check-up since I had not been since my early 20's and questioned the possibility of surgery to correct my lazy eye, it would be cosmetic since I have 20/20 vision.  He didn't really say too much....indicated I should be glad we caught it when I was young and thankful that my eye wasn't supreme suppressed...
Is there not any surgery, cosmetic or otherwise, that can correct my lazy eye?  
It is embarrassing and humiliating!  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

You are mis-using terms. Lazy eye is not a real eye term since it can mean a droopy eyelid (ptosis), an eye that does not see normal (amblyopia) or an eye that turns outward (exotropia).

I am assuming your eyes are not straight and that one turns out some or all of the time.

Yes there is surgery to try and straighten the eye but it involves risks such as double vision post operative,  failure to straighten the eye,  over correction and being left with a crossed eye plus the risks of infection, bleeding, damage to eye.

I suggest you see a second strabismus specialist for another opinion. Find one near you at www.aao.org or ask your present surgeon to refer you for a second opinion.

Also know that any children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews will have a 20% chance of having the same problem. Be sure everyone sees an eye MD at age 2.5 to 3 years

JCH MD