The amblyopic eye: is it downtrodden or just lazy?

Over the past decade or two considerable information has been compiled about the functioning of individual cells in mammalian visual cortex. Out of this data is developing a clearer understanding of the etiology of amblyopia. And with this clearer understanding is coming the development of new ideas for clinical practice in the prevention, treatment, and cure of amblyopia. While the leap from single-cell neurophysiology lab to optometric practice office seems like a huge one, the gap is narrowing; and taking the leap promises to provide a rich pay-off for vision health care.