What is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist?

A pediatric ophthalmologist is a medical and surgical doctor (M.D.) who specializes in the eye and vision problems that occur in children. Many vision problems that occur in children are developmental in nature. Vision (which actually occurs in the brain rather than the eye) is developing in children until about 9 years of age. Vision can be negatively effected by eyes that misalign or do not focus properly.  A child with these problems can develop both good vision in each eye individually and good binocular vision (depth perception) however, if these problems are diagnosed early and treated appropriately.

All ophthalmologists have some training in children’s eye problems, but a pediatric ophthalmologist has had additional training and practice in examining children and caring for their eye problems.  If your primary care doctor suggests that your child have his or her eyes checked, a pediatric ophthalmologist will have the greatest knowledge of the possible conditions and the greatest experience in examining children effectively.

What types of examinations do pediatric ophthalmologists provide?

• Vision testing- Assessing visual function in pre-verbal infants and young children requires techniques and skills different from that required for older children or adults.
• Eye Alignment-Measuring eye position in all patients to determine if misalignment (strabismus) is present.
• Eye Health Examination-Examining the eye structures looking for signs of diseases that may affect the eyes such as genetic conditions, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,diabetes and injuries.
• Examinations of uncooperative children, very young children and premature babies.
• Refractions-Determining if glasses are required and if so, what type and strength glasses a child needs  by objectively measuring the focusing ability of the eye (retinoscopy) and subjectively (in older, cooperative children). This is often performed after dilating drops have been instilled which not only make the pupils larger, but relax the focusing muscle of the eyes (cycloplegia). 

What kinds of treatments do pediatric ophthalmologists provide?

Medical treatments

• Amblyopia (undeveloped vision or the vision part of “lazy eye”) including glasses, patching, and dilating drops.
• Glasses prescriptions for simple lack of focus such as nearsightedness, astigmatism or farsightedness.   Some fit contact lenses as well.
• Infection such as conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and the tissue around the eye (orbit).
• Inflammation inside the eye (iritis) from arthritis conditions and injuries
• Glaucoma, high pressure in the eye, is treated by some pediatric ophthalmologists.

Surgery

• Eye muscle surgery for misaligned eyes in patients of any age.
• Blocked tear ducts
• Cataract surgery in children
• Repair of injuries of the eye
• Some do laser surgery in premature babies, glaucoma surgery, or droopy eye lid surgery (ptosis).  This varies with the interest, training, and experience of the pediatric ophthalmologist.

*Information from the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus