PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY
COMMON EYE CONDITIONS
Excellence in Eye Care
Pediatric Ophthalmology is a specialized branch of ophthalmology focusing on eye health and vision care for infants, children, and adolescents. It involves the diagnosis, management, and treatment of various eye conditions and visual disorders specifically tailored to young patients.
Age Range:
Pediatric ophthalmologists specialize in treating patients from birth through adolescence, addressing a wide array of eye conditions unique to this age group.
Conditions Addressed:
This field encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions such as refractive errors (like near-sightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism), amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (misaligned eyes), congenital eye abnormalities, pediatric cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and other vision-related issues.
Specialized Care:
Pediatric ophthalmologists are trained not only in ophthalmology but also in child development and behaviour, enabling them to provide specialized care that accommodates the needs of young patients during eye examinations and treatments.
Diagnostic Techniques:
They employ child-friendly diagnostic tools and techniques to assess visual function, often adapting tests and equipment to suit the age and cooperation level of the child.
Treatment Approaches:
Treatment modalities range from corrective lenses, patching therapy, eye exercises, to surgical interventions, ensuring optimal visual development and eye health in children.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a child’s first eye exam between 6 months and 1 year of age. Subsequent exams should be conducted at ages 3 and 5, and then before starting school.
Signs include squinting, frequent eye rubbing, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, holding objects close to the face, frequent headaches, or complaints about blurred vision.
Amblyopia occurs when one eye has weaker vision than the other. Treatment involves corrective glasses, patching the stronger eye, and sometimes eye drops to blur vision in the stronger eye, encouraging the weaker eye to strengthen.
Yes, children can wear contact lenses. The appropriate age for contact lens use depends on the child’s maturity, ability to handle lenses responsibly, and follow proper hygiene. This decision is usually made in consultation with an eye care professional.
While school screenings are valuable, they may not detect all eye problems. Comprehensive eye exams by a pediatric ophthalmologist or eye care professional are essential to detect and address a broader range of eye conditions in children.
Pediatric Ophthalmology is a specialized branch of ophthalmology focusing on eye health and vision care for infants, children, and adolescents. It involves the diagnosis, management, and treatment of various eye conditions and visual disorders specifically tailored to young patients.
Age Range:
Pediatric ophthalmologists specialize in treating patients from birth through adolescence, addressing a wide array of eye conditions unique to this age group.
Conditions Addressed:
This field encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions such as refractive errors (like near-sightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism), amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (misaligned eyes), congenital eye abnormalities, pediatric cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and other vision-related issues.
Specialized Care:
Pediatric ophthalmologists are trained not only in ophthalmology but also in child development and behaviour, enabling them to provide specialized care that accommodates the needs of young patients during eye examinations and treatments.
Diagnostic Techniques:
They employ child-friendly diagnostic tools and techniques to assess visual function, often adapting tests and equipment to suit the age and cooperation level of the child.
Treatment Approaches:
Treatment modalities range from corrective lenses, patching therapy, eye exercises, to surgical interventions, ensuring optimal visual development and eye health in children.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a child’s first eye exam between 6 months and 1 year of age. Subsequent exams should be conducted at ages 3 and 5, and then before starting school.
Signs include squinting, frequent eye rubbing, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, holding objects close to the face, frequent headaches, or complaints about blurred vision.
Amblyopia occurs when one eye has weaker vision than the other. Treatment involves corrective glasses, patching the stronger eye, and sometimes eye drops to blur vision in the stronger eye, encouraging the weaker eye to strengthen.
Yes, children can wear contact lenses. The appropriate age for contact lens use depends on the child’s maturity, ability to handle lenses responsibly, and follow proper hygiene. This decision is usually made in consultation with an eye care professional.
While school screenings are valuable, they may not detect all eye problems. Comprehensive eye exams by a pediatric ophthalmologist or eye care professional are essential to detect and address a broader range of eye conditions in children.