Can You Fix a Lazy Eye at 16?

Can You Fix a Lazy Eye at 16? It’s Not Too Late!

What Is a Lazy Eye, Really?

Okay, before we dive in—let’s clear something up. A lazy eye, or amblyopia, isn’t just an eye that “drifts” or looks off in photos. It’s actually when one eye doesn't develop proper vision because the brain and the eye aren’t communicating well. The “lazy” eye isn’t lazy by choice, trust me.

I used to think it was all about how the eye looked, but nope. It's mostly about how your brain is using that eye—or not using it, which is the real issue.

And yes, it’s most commonly diagnosed in kids. But if you’re 16 and just now asking, “Wait… can this still be fixed?” the answer is… kinda exciting.

Is 16 Too Old to Treat a Lazy Eye?

Short answer? Nope.

Honestly, this part shocked me. I always thought if you missed the boat by, like, 8 years old, it was game over. Turns out, it’s not that black and white. There is a “critical period” for vision development (usually before age 7), but recent research and real-life success stories say the brain can still learn well into the teens—and even adulthood.

My friend Marissa, who’s an optometrist (and total vision nerd, love her), told me last week, “Neuroplasticity doesn’t magically vanish after childhood. It slows down, sure, but it doesn’t disappear.”

That gave me hope, honestly.

The tricky part: it takes more effort

The big difference? At 16, it usually takes longer, more patience, and more targeted therapy. But if you’re motivated—and I mean really in it—progress is 100% possible.

What Treatments Actually Work at 16?

Vision therapy

This is the star of the show. It’s like physical therapy, but for your eyes and brain. You work with an optometrist who gives you a series of eye exercises, sometimes using lenses, prisms, or even digital games (yep, video games—how cool is that?).

I tried a version of this at 17—felt kinda silly at first, like, “Why am I following dots on a screen for 30 minutes?” But after a few weeks? I noticed my focus improving. And I swear, for the first time in years, both eyes felt like they were “on.”

Eye patching

Still a thing, even at 16. You patch the strong eye to force the weaker one to step up. It’s not super fun (been there, done that), but sometimes it’s combined with vision therapy for better results.

Corrective lenses

Sometimes amblyopia is linked to issues like farsightedness or astigmatism. Getting the right glasses (or contacts) can help the weaker eye function better. Don’t underestimate this step—it’s not just about seeing clearly, it’s about training the brain to use that eye again.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Honestly? It depends. Some people notice changes in a few months. For others, it’s more of a slow climb. When I started therapy, I got discouraged around week 6 because everything still felt... wonky. But then I had this one day, sitting in the park, where I realized my depth perception was suddenly way sharper. I could feel the space between trees and buildings. It was small, but it hit hard.

So yeah, don’t expect miracles overnight. But don’t give up just because you’re not 10 anymore.

What If You Do Nothing?

Let’s be real

If you leave a lazy eye untreated at 16, the risk isn’t just cosmetic. The weaker eye can become functionally blind over time, even if it “looks fine.” Also, depth perception can stay off, which affects driving, sports, certain jobs... even just walking around busy places can feel weird.

I had a cousin who skipped treatment in his teens, and now at 28, he really regrets it. His vision plateaued and now he struggles with certain tasks (parallel parking is his nemesis). I’m not saying that to scare you—but it’s the reality.

So… Can You Fix It?

Yeah. You can. It’s not too late at 16.

You’ll need:

• An eye doctor who believes in neuroplasticity (some old-school ones don’t, sadly)

• Commitment (yep, patching and exercising your eyes isn’t glamorous)

• Patience (progress is rarely linear)

But the potential? It’s there. It’s real. And you’re not alone.

If you’re reading this thinking, “Ugh, I wish I’d started earlier…” —don’t let that stop you. Just start now. Your brain is still listening, even if it’s a bit lazy about it.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.