A group of paediatric eye disease researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a new open-access clinical decision-support tool aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of amblyopia in children.

Known as the Amblyopia Navigator Decision-Support Instrument (ANDI), the online platform has been developed to help clinicians manage paediatric amblyopia cases using evidence-based guidance, particularly in regions facing shortages of paediatric eye care specialists. Amblyopia, commonly referred to as ‘lazy eye,’ is the leading cause of preventable monocular vision loss in children, affecting nearly three out of every 100 children in the United States.

The tool was developed by the Paediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), an NIH-funded network comprising more than 400 investigators, and is based on findings from 147 published studies.

According to Allison Summers, Associate Professor at Oregon Health and Science University and lead author of the article, the tool simplifies complex research findings into practical treatment guidance for busy clinicians. She noted that even practitioners without internet access can use the article’s figures as reference sheets for clinical decision-making.

Amblyopia develops when the brain fails to properly process visual input from one or both eyes during early childhood. The condition may result from misaligned eyes (strabismus), major differences in prescription strength between the eyes, uncorrected refractive errors or blocked vision caused by conditions such as cataracts or drooping eyelids. If left untreated, the resulting poor vision can become permanent and may affect academic performance, employment opportunities and overall quality of life later in life.

The researchers highlighted that amblyopia generally responds well to early treatment, with many children achieving near-normal vision outcomes. However, recent workforce studies have shown uneven distribution of paediatric ophthalmologists and paediatric optometrists across the United States, leaving several regions underserved.

Stacy L. Pineles of the Jules Stein Eye Institute and Co-Chair of PEDIG said the tool is expected to help reduce gaps in access to paediatric eye care services.

ANDI guides clinicians through the diagnosis of amblyopia and recommends management strategies based on specific clinical findings. The tool helps determine the most appropriate glasses prescription, monitoring duration and whether additional treatment is required.

If corrective glasses alone are insufficient, the platform provides guidance on next-step treatments such as patching the stronger eye, using atropine eye drops or considering digital therapies involving specially designed games and videos. It also advises clinicians on follow-up care, recurrence monitoring and when specialist referral may be necessary.

The researchers said the tool is intended for use during both initial and follow-up visits throughout a child’s amblyopia treatment journey.