Pediatric Ophthalmology
What is Pediatric Ophthalmology?
Pediatric ophthalmology is a specialized branch of medicine focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing eye conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatric ophthalmologists are trained to handle the unique needs of children's vision and eye development, which differ from adults. They are also skilled in assessing children’s visual behavior and conducting eye examinations in a non-invasive, child-friendly manner.
When to consult a Pediatric Ophthalmology doctor?
Pediatric ophthalmologists typically diagnose these conditions: Comprehensive Eye Examination & Specialized Tests.
You should consult a doctor if:
- Frequent Squinting or Head Tilting: If your child squints or tilts their head to see clearly, it could indicate vision problems.
- Misaligned Eyes (Strabismus): If one or both eyes appear to be misaligned (turning inward, outward, or upward), a doctor should evaluate the child for strabismus.
- Eye Rubbing or Sensitivity to Light: Excessive eye rubbing or sensitivity to light can indicate vision issues or other eye conditions like conjunctivitis or photophobia.
- Poor Hand-Eye Coordination: If a child struggles with tasks that require hand-eye coordination, such as catching a ball or grabbing objects, it may signal vision problems.
- Excessive Tearing or Redness: Persistent tearing, redness, or discharge from the eyes may indicate infections, blocked tear ducts, or other eye conditions.
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Causes
- Genetics
- Prematurity
- Injuries or Trauma
- Congenital Conditions
- Infections
Symptoms
- Crossed Eyes or Misaligned Gaze
- Squinting or Head Tilting
- Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
- Frequent Eye Rubbing
- Watery or Red Eyes
- Difficulty Focusing on Objects
Frequently Asked Questions
Signs to watch for include difficulty reading, squinting, frequent eye rubbing, misaligned eyes, sensitivity to light, or complaints of blurred vision or headaches.
Some eye conditions can be hereditary, so a family history of eye issues may increase the likelihood of similar problems in children.
Common conditions include strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism), congenital cataracts, and retinopathy of prematurity.
