Pediatric ophthalmology is a subspecialty of ophthalmology, that focuses on children's eye health. It involves diagnosing and treating eye problems in infants, children, and adolescents.
Congenital Cataract
A congenital cataract is when the lens of the eye is cloudy instead of clear at birth, making it hard to see. It is estimated that congenital cataracts are responsible for 5% to 20% of blindness in children worldwide. Incidence varies from country to country. Congenital cataracts can happen in one or both eyes.
Paediatric Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that damages the eye’s optic nerve. It gets worse over time and leads to vision loss if not treated. The damage from glaucoma often is linked to a build-up of pressure inside the eye.
Paediatric Retina
Eye exams for children are very important to insure your child’s eyes are healthy and have no vision problems that could interfere with school performance and potentially affect your child’s safety. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye problem in babies that are born too early. A doctor who specializes in children’s eye care (paediatric ophthalmologist) will screen and check all babies that are less than 3 pounds and 5 ounces at birth and/or born before 31 weeks for ROP.
Paediatric Strabismus
It is a common misconception among parents that squint gets corrected as the child grows older. Squint is a common cause of low vision and should be treated early in childhood to avoid low vision.
Lazy Eye / Amblyopia
Lazy eye (amblyopia) is reduced vision in one or both eyes caused by abnormal visual development early in life, occurs when the vision in one of the eyes is impaired because the eye and the brain are not properly working together.
Refractive Error
Refractive errors are one of the most common eye conditions found in children. Significant uncorrected refractive errors are risk factors for amblyopia.
Myopia is the most common refractive error requiring correction seen in children. This condition makes distant objects appear out of focus and may cause headaches and/or eye strain.
Myopia Control Myopia control is about slowing down excessive eye growth which causes myopia, ideally to the normal rate expected in childhood. Our hospital utilizes the latest advancements in myopia control to slow its progression. Our newly opened Myopia clinical will help us in achieving this goal. Hypermetropia commonly known as ‘plus number’ or far sightedness. It generally develops because it runs in family.
Vision Therapy
It is a customized program designed to improve visual skills such as eye tracking, focusing, and coordination. It’s particularly beneficial for children with binocular vision problems, aiding in tasks like reading and learning.
Eye Allergies
They are very common in kids. Itchy, watery, red eyes can be a sign of exposure to allergens, environmental irritants, or infections like conjunctivitis.
Early detection, regular eye examination, and intervention are crucial in pediatric ophthalmology to address these issues and prevent long-term visual impairment. Regular eye examinations, especially for children with a family history of eye problems or other risk factors, are essential for timely diagnosis and management. If you suspect any issues with your child's vision, it's important to consult with a pediatric eye doctor for a comprehensive evaluation.
The treatment of pediatric ophthalmology conditions, including squint (strabismus), depends on the specific diagnosis, the severity of the condition, and the child's age. Here are common treatments for pediatric ophthalmological conditions, particularly focusing on squint:
The earlier the intervention, the better the chances of successful treatment, particularly in cases of pediatric ophthalmological conditions. Parents should work closely with a pediatric ophthalmologist to ensure appropriate and timely care for their child's eye health.