Children’s eye care requires a special approach. Our pediatric eye care specialists provide gentle, all-around vision care specifically for young patients. From routine eye care to surgical intervention of complex pediatric eye conditions, we create a comfortable, kid-friendly environment where your child can feel at ease. Early detection and treatment of vision issues are crucial for your child’s development and overall success, so don’t wait to seek treatment. At The Eye Clinic, small eyes really do get big attention—and even bigger care.
Who We Treat
Our pediatric eye care isn’t just for kids! This specialized department helps patients with a range of needs, including adults with specific vision issues. These might include:
Patients with Misalignment: Children or adults with visible eye misalignment like eyes that cross inward or drift outward. People experiencing new or worsening double vision, noticeable eye deviation, eye strain, headaches, or poor depth perception.
Patients with Amblyopia: Individuals with a history of lazy eye (amblyopia) associated with strabismus.
Certain Neurological Conditions: Patients with neurological conditions that affect eye movement or alignment can benefit from certain techniques and treatments.
Children Diagnosed at School: Children diagnosed during routine school screenings or pediatric checkups should receive follow-up care by a licensed specialist.
Referral Patients: Patients referred by pediatricians, neurologists, or optometrists for specialized alignment care should schedule follow-up appointments to accurately diagnose and treat eye conditions.
Common Pediatric Conditions
Refractive Errors
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, makes distant objects appear blurry. This condition is increasingly common in school-age children.
- Hyperopia, or farsightedness, can cause difficulty seeing up close and may lead to eye strain during normal activities like reading or homework.
- Astigmatism creates blurred vision at all distances due to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens.
- Anisometropia occurs when each eye has a significantly different prescription, which can lead to amblyopia if left untreated.
Alignment Issues
- Strabismus, commonly known as “crossed eyes”, occurs when the eyes don’t align properly and point in different directions.
- Esotropia involves one or both eyes turning inward, while exotropia causes the eyes to turn outward.
- Hypertropia and hypotropia involve vertical misalignment, with the eye turning either upward or downward.
Vision Development Disorders
- Amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye,” occurs when one eye has reduced vision because it and the brain aren’t working together properly, despite correction with glasses or contacts. It is visually apparent when one eye drifts to the side when focusing.
- Nystagmus involves involuntary, rhythmic eye movements that can be present from birth or develop later in childhood. This condition can affect vision clarity and may indicate underlying neurological issues.
- Ocular motor apraxia makes it difficult for children to move their eyes voluntarily to look at objects, often causing them to turn their head instead.
Congenital Conditions
- Ptosis, or droopy eyelid, can be congenital or acquired and may interfere with normal vision development if it covers the pupil.
- Congenital cataracts are present at birth and can significantly impact visual development.
- Congenital glaucoma involves increased eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss if not treated promptly.
- Albinism affects pigmentation throughout the body, including the eyes, causing light sensitivity, reduced visual acuity, and nystagmus.
Injuries & Trauma
- Eye injuries in children can range from minor scratches to serious trauma requiring immediate medical attention.
- Foreign objects in the eye, like dust, sand, or other objects can cause irritation, pain, and potential corneal damage.
- Chemical burns from household products or pool chemicals can cause severe damage to the eye’s surface and require emergency treatment.
- Blunt trauma from sports injuries or accidents can cause bruising, bleeding, or more serious internal eye damage.
- Corneal scratches from fingernails, toys, or other foreign objects can be painful and may lead to infection if not properly treated.
Before Your
Appointment
When scheduling your child’s appointment, be sure to mention any specific concerns like trouble reading, eye rubbing, or vision complaints. Before the appointment, we’ll provide helpful instructions on what to bring, like your child’s current glasses (if applicable), a list of medications, and relevant medical history. Please also bring your insurance card, ID, and any previous vision records. First-time visits may require paperwork, which you can easily access on our Patient Forms page to save time at check-in.
During Your
Appointment
During your child’s visit, we’ll take time to learn about their eye health history, current symptoms, any past vision concerns, and overall health. In some cases, we may need to dilate your child’s pupils to get a better view of the back of their eyes, which can cause temporary light sensitivity and blurry vision. We’ll also perform a series of gentle, age-appropriate tests like visual acuity checks, refraction, and a thorough eye exam to assess their vision and detect any early signs of eye conditions.
After Your
Appointment
Once your child’s exam is complete, we’ll go over the results with you and explain any changes in their vision or eye health. If a prescription is needed, we’ll discuss the best options, whether that’s glasses, further treatment, or additional follow-up care. Our team will also share helpful tips to support your child’s ongoing visual development, both at home and in school. We’re here to answer your questions, guide you through next steps, and make sure your child has the clear, healthy vision they need to thrive.
FAQ
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends children have their first comprehensive eye exam by age 3-4, or earlier if there are concerns about vision development.
Signs include squinting, covering one eye, tilting their head, difficulty reading, complaints of headaches, or sitting too close to screens or books.
Strabismus surgery corrects eye alignment by adjusting the tension of the eye muscles, either weakening or strengthening them, to help the eyes move and align properly.
Strabismus surgery is generally safe and performed under general anesthesia. While risks like infection, over- or under-correction, or the need for additional surgery exist, serious complications are rare.
This depends on the type and severity of the misalignment. Sometimes one eye is operated on, but more commonly both eyes are corrected during surgery. In some severe cases, both eyes may need adjustment.
Most children experience redness and irritation for a few days, with full healing taking a couple of weeks. Most return to normal activities within a week.
While many children achieve long-term alignment after one surgery, some may require additional procedures later in life to maintain or refine alignment, especially as they grow.
Amblyopia occurs when one eye doesn’t develop normal vision. Treatment often involves using an eye patch or special eye drops to train the weaker eye to work correctly.
Contact lenses can be appropriate for responsible children as young as 8-10 years old, depending on their maturity level and ability to follow proper hygiene practices. For younger children, specialized glasses or other vision aids may be needed.
Explain the visit in simple terms, bring comfort items, and schedule appointments when your child is well-rested. Our kid-friendly environment helps make the experience positive and stress-free, and our team is trained to help children feel at ease during their appointment.
Focused on the Health Inside Your Eyes
Specialized Care, Advanced Diagnostics, & In-Office Treatments
