Which condition might lead to irreversible vision difficulties if identified late?

Amblyopia, often referred to as "lazy eye," is a condition where one eye does not develop proper vision, leading to reduced visual acuity that cannot be fully corrected with glasses or contact lenses. This condition typically arises when the brain favors one eye over the other, often due to misalignment, significant differences in vision between the two eyes, or other factors.

If amblyopia is not detected and treated early—preferably during childhood when the visual system is still developing—there is a significant risk that the affected eye will not achieve normal vision. The critical period for effectively treating amblyopia is during the first few years of life. If treatment is delayed until later in childhood or adulthood, the chances of restoring vision in the amblyopic eye diminish greatly, possibly leading to permanent vision loss.

In contrast, while astigmatism, near-sightedness, and far-sightedness can cause challenges in vision, they are generally correctable through glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery, and do not typically result in irreversible vision problems if addressed in a timely manner. Thus, early identification and intervention for amblyopia are crucial to prevent lifelong vision difficulties.