Can Lazy Eye Be A Sign Of Brain Tumour? How To Know

The brain and eyes share a complex connection through the optic nerve, which is a bundle of nerve fibres that sends electrical signals from light-sensitive cells in the retina to the visual cortex in the brain. It is crucial to understand that what we see with our eyes is affected by and dependent on how our brain processes the images we take in.

Given this interdependence, it is most likely that brain damage or neurological problems are likely to affect our eyes and our vision. This brings us to the question of whether lazy eye, a vision disorder where the brain fails to process input from one eye, is linked to serious brain conditions like brain tumours. To understand the same, the OnlyMyHealth team interacted withDr Kailas Mirche, Senior Neurologist, CARE Hospitals, Hitech-City, Hyderabad.

Also Read: Whooshing In The Ear: Can It Be Brain Tumour?

What Is A Brain Tumour?

A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells within the brain or its surrounding tissues. These tumours can be either benign, which means noncancerous, or malignant, which means cancerous.

Brain tumours cause problems by pressing on or invading healthy brain tissue, increasing pressure inside the skull, or blocking the flow of fluid. It leads to symptoms like headaches or balance issues.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies brain and spinal cord tumours using the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS), which assigns a grade of 1-4 to indicate how aggressive the tumour is and incorporates molecular diagnostics for more accurate diagnosis and prognosis.

What Is A Lazy Eye?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) describes lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, as a condition that occurs "when vision in one or both eyes does not develop properly during childhood because the child's brain has learnt to ignore one of the eyes."

This means that one eye has reduced vision because the eye and the brain do not work together in sync, leading to the brain ignoring input from the weaker eye.

Can Lazy Eye Be A Sign Of Brain Tumour?

According to Dr Mirche, a true lazy eye usually begins in early childhood. "One eye doesn’t send a clear picture to the brain, so the brain starts to ignore it. The eye itself looks normal, and there’s no pain or sudden change."

On the other hand, a vision problem from a brain tumour is different. Dr Mirche explained, "A tumour can press on the nerves or the part of the brain that handles sight. That pressure may cause blurred or double vision, loss of part of your visual field, or trouble moving the eyes together. These changes often happen in adulthood and can appear suddenly or gradually get worse."

However, studies show a link between brain tumours in children and vision problems, including lazy eye. A 2018 study published in the International Ophthalmology Clinics highlighted that while treatments for paediatric brain tumours have improved survival rates, many children face lasting vision challenges. This is because large areas of the brain control how we see and move our eyes; tumours and their treatments can damage these pathways, causing vision loss, crossed eyes (strabismus), or rapid eye movements (nystagmus).

Also Read: How To Tell Heatstroke And Glioma Apart, Type Of A Tumour In 22 YO Women Mistaken For Heatstroke

Warning Signs Of Brain Tumours

Some of the common warning signs associated with brain tumours include:

• Sudden double vision
• Drooping eyelid
• Bad headaches
• Vomiting
• Changes in pupil size
• Loss of side vision
• Weakness or numbness in the face or limbs

“These signs are not typical of a simple lazy eye,” Dr Mirche noted.

How To Diagnose Brain Tumours

“First, we do a thorough eye and nerve exam, testing vision, eye movements, and how the pupils react to light. If anything suggests a problem inside the brain, we order imaging, such as an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scan, to look for a tumour or other structural changes. Sometimes we also do blood tests or check hormone levels if the pituitary gland might be involved,” shared Dr Mirche.

Final Word

According to the doctor, many tumours that affect vision, like meningiomas or pituitary adenomas, are usually benign, meaning they don’t spread like cancer. But even a benign tumour can cause serious problems if it presses on the optic nerves or brain tissue. Dr Mirche concluded by emphasising the role of early diagnosis and treatment, which might include surgery, radiation, or medications.