Does laser eye surgery fix lazy eyes?

If you or someone you love has a lazy eye (also called amblyopia), you may be wondering:
Can laser eye surgery fix it?

The answer is: it depends on the cause and your age. Let’s break it down.

In this blog, we’ll explain:

• What a lazy eye is
• Whether laser eye surgery can help
• What other treatments are available
• Who should consider laser surgery

What is a lazy eye?

A lazy eye (amblyopia) happens when one eye doesn’t develop proper vision during early childhood.

The brain starts ignoring the weaker eye, and even if it’s physically healthy, the connection doesn’t work properly.

This is different from strabismus (a squint), although the two can sometimes occur together.

Can laser eye surgery help?

Laser eye surgery can’t cure amblyopia on its own. But it may help in some situations:

• If the weaker eye has a high prescription, laser surgery can correct the refractive error.
• This can improve vision slightly and make the eyes more balanced.

However, if the brain is already ignoring input from one eye (especially in adults), improving focus alone won’t restore full function.

When can laser surgery make a difference?

You may benefit from laser eye surgery if:

• You have amblyopia but still use the lazy eye for some tasks
• Your prescription is very different between your two eyes
• You want to reduce reliance on glasses and improve cosmetic appearance

In these cases, surgery can help you make the most of the vision you do have.

Who isn’t likely to benefit?

If amblyopia was never treated in childhood and the weaker eye is now functionally blind, surgery won’t restore sight.

That’s because the issue isn’t with the eye itself—but with how the brain processes vision.

What are other treatment options?

For children:

• Patching (to strengthen the weaker eye)
• Prescription glasses
• Vision therapy

For adults:

• Corrective lenses to balance vision
• Surgery to fix any associated squint (cosmetic improvement)
• Laser eye surgery in some cases to correct refractive error

Will it work for me?

Everyone’s situation is different. That’s why we start with a thorough assessment to understand your prescription, eye health, and goals.

Laser eye surgery is not a cure for lazy eyes—but it can help some people live more comfortably with the vision they have.

Not sure if you’d benefit?
Take the suitability self-test to get personalised insights.