What is Pediatric Ophthalmology?

Pediatric ophthalmologists focus on the development of the visual system and the various diseases that disrupt visual development in children. Pediatric ophthalmologists also have expertise in managing the various ocular diseases that affect children. Pediatric ophthalmologists are qualified to perform complex eye surgery as well as to manage children's eye problems using glasses and medications. Many ophthalmologists and other physicians refer pediatric patients to a pediatric ophthalmologist for examination and management of ocular problems due to children's unique needs. In addition to children with obvious vision problems, children with head turns, head tilts, squinting of the eyes, or preferred head postures (torticollis) are typically referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist for evaluation. Pediatric ophthalmologists typically also manage adults with eye movement disorders (such as nystagmus or strabismus) due to their familiarity with strabismus conditions.

Children experience a variety of eye problems, many quite distinct from adult eye diseases. Pediatric ophthalmologists are specially trained to manage the following disorders:

Infections (Conjunctivitis).
Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes that affects 2-4% of the population.
Amblyopia (aka lazy eye) occurs when the vision of one eye is significantly better than the other eye, and the brain begins to rely on the better eye and ignore the weaker one.
Blocked tear ducts.
Ptosis
Retinopathy of prematurity
Nystagmus
Visual inattention
Pediatric cataracts
Pediatric glaucoma
Abnormal vision development
Genetic disorders often cause eye problems for affected children.
Orbital tumours
Refractive errors such as myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness) and astigmatism can often be corrected with prescriptions for glasses or contacts.
Accommodative insufficiency
Convergence insufficiency and asthenopia
Evaluation of visual issues in education, including dyslexia and attention deficit disorder.