Pixar’s ‘Elio’ sparks conversation about children’s eye health
The newly released Pixar film “Elio” follows the journey of an adventurous boy trying
to find his place in the world. One feature sets him apart — he wears an eye patch.
While the film doesn’t specify why, the character’s appearance has sparked discussion
among vision experts about conditions like amblyopia, often treated with patching.
Dimitrios Karamichos, PhD, FARVO, vice president, research and graduate studies and executive director and endowed chair at the North Texas Eye Research Institute, said movies like “Elio” can help raise awareness of eye health issues, including amblyopia.
For those unfamiliar with amblyopia, can you explain what it is and how it affects a child’s vision and daily life?
Amblyopia, often called “lazy eye,” usually happens in just one eye and is less commonly seen in both eyes. It develops when the brain and one eye fail to work together properly, causing the brain to ignore signals from the weaker eye. Over time, the stronger eye becomes dominant, and the weaker eye’s vision worsens.
Amblyopia starts in childhood, and it’s the most common cause of vision loss among children, affecting up to three out of 100. In daily life, children with amblyopia may struggle with reduced visual acuity, poor depth perception and eye-hand coordination — making tasks like reading, sports and even driving more difficult. The condition can also impact self-esteem and contribute to social anxiety.
From a clinical perspective, how important is early detection and treatment of amblyopia, and could a film like “Elio” prompt parents to seek screening for their children?
Early detection is critical. Amblyopia is diagnosed by measuring visual acuity with an eye chart. It’s a common and preventable condition, and early intervention leads to better outcomes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends amblyopia screening during regular well-child visits.
The gold standard treatment is patching the stronger eye to force the brain to use the weaker one. Other treatments include optical penalization with atropine eye drops, filters to blur the stronger eye and dichoptic video games that promote binocular vision.
Movies can have a powerful influence—not just on kids, but also on parents. “Elio” has the potential to spark curiosity or concern that leads families to seek eye exams for their children.
What are some common misconceptions about amblyopia that a movie like “Elio” might help correct?
Perhaps one of the most common misconceptions is the idea that simply fixing the lazy eye solves the overall problem. If the brain cannot properly sync the two images it receives, amblyopia cannot be treated effectively. The brain can still suppress information received from one eye, creating poor depth perception for the individual. Vision therapy that trains the brain to use both eyes equally is key.
Another misconception is that parents commonly miss amblyopia because children do not have a reference for “normal vision.” Kids may not be able to articulate vision-related challenges and may just assume what they see/experience is normal. “Elio” could help raise awareness and prompt parents to ask questions or get their child’s vision checked — just in case.
What steps can parents take if they suspect their child might have amblyopia, and could watching “Elio” be a good conversation starter?
Identifying amblyopia early significantly improves treatment outcomes. Parents should have their children’s eye examined as young as 6 months old. It is possible to detect amblyopia early in life.
Watching “Elio” together might open the door for meaningful conversation. A child may feel more comfortable talking about vision issues after seeing a character with similar experiences. The movie could be the catalyst that encourages a parent to schedule that first eye exam.