PEDIATRIC OPTHALMOLOGY

Pediatric Ophthalmology is specialized eye care for children and adolescent eye diseases, including strabismus, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), congenital cataracts, nearsightedness/farsightedness and genetic eye diseases. The management of eye problems in children requires special knowledge and skills. Even before a child can speak, pediatric ophthalmologists can tell what a child sees, if he or she needs eyeglasses or contact lenses, and if any problems exist within the eyes. Children’s eye problems require diagnostic and treatment methods that are usually different from those used for adults. Fortunately, most eye problems can be treated without surgery, but some children do need to undergo surgical correction for their eye problems.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EYE PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN

For children, eyesight is very important because good vision is often related to learning. Regular eye examinations are important to maintain proper eye health, since some serious eye disorders strike giving no early warning symptoms. Any of the following signs or symptoms may be indicative of a number of serious eye problems. If your child experiences any of the following, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible

•Pain in or around the eye

•One eye turns in toward the nose or wanders out toward the ear, either constantly or occasionally

•Eyes that do not appear to look in the same direction

•Child tilts or turns head when looking intently

•One eye closes occasionally, especially when the child is outside

•Eyes shake or vibrate

•Child covers one eye to look at things

•Squints, or squeezes eyes to see

•Cannot identify things across the room or farther away

•Frequent rubbing of eye

•Discharge from eyes (stuck together in the morning)

•Droopy eyelids

•A white pupil is formed in one or both eyes

•Eyes tearing or wet-looking, when not crying

•Any swelling or lump in or around the eyes or eyelids

•Any difference in size, shape or color of any part of the eye (i.e. pupil) or eyelids

•Redness of the eye

•Functionally one-eyed