Pediatric Ophthalmology

Ideally, your child should have a first checkup in the first few months of life, another around age 3, and one more before starting school. If your baby was born premature, they'll need a retinal exam in the first weeks. And at any warning sign (an eye that drifts, sitting too close to things, squinting) you should see a doctor right away, without waiting. Early detection is key because vision keeps developing until about age 7 or 8.

Yes, and it's important. Children rarely complain because whatever way they see is the only way they know; to them, it's normal. They don't know the other eye sees better, or that things should look sharper. That's why many problems (like lazy eye) show no obvious symptoms and are only caught during a checkup. Waiting for a child to speak up can mean missing the treatment window.

Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is when one eye develops less vision because the brain learns to ignore it, usually due to strabismus or a difference in prescription between the two eyes. Yes, it can be treated, with a patch, drops, or glasses that force the weaker eye to work. Age is key: treated before age 7-8, vision recovers very well; after that age, it's much harder. That's why you shouldn't wait.

No. Strabismus (a misaligned eye) has an important functional side: left untreated, the brain can start to ignore the misaligned eye and develop amblyopia (lazy eye). It also affects depth perception. Never wait for it to 'go away on its own,' especially if the misalignment is constant or appears after the first few months. It's treated with glasses, sometimes a patch, and when needed, surgery on the eye muscles.

Strabismus surgery adjusts the muscles that move the eye to align the gaze. It's done on the surface of the eye, without entering the eye itself, and children are placed under general anesthesia. It's outpatient, and kids recover quickly. It doesn't always replace glasses or a patch; sometimes it's combined with them. The goal is to align the eyes to improve visual function, and appearance too.

Yes, to a good degree today. Myopia control treatments can slow its progression: low-concentration atropine drops, special peripheral-defocus lenses, and contact lenses designed for this purpose. They don't eliminate existing myopia, but they reduce how much it increases over the years. This matters because high myopia raises the risk of eye problems in adulthood. The earlier you start, the better.

Dilating drops (cycloplegia) are very important in children. They relax the eye's focusing muscle, which in kids is strong enough to 'hide' the true prescription. Without these drops, the measurement wouldn't be accurate. They also let us examine the back of the eye and the retina. They cause blurry near vision and light sensitivity for a few hours, which wears off on its own. It's a key step for an accurate diagnosis.

Yes, it's essential. Premature babies, especially those with low birth weight, are at risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), damage to the developing retina that can cause blindness if it isn't caught and treated in time. Screening happens in the first weeks of life and doesn't hurt. It's the only way to detect ROP, since it isn't visible to the naked eye. Catching it early means it can be treated, protecting your baby's vision.

With technique, play, and a lot of patience. Pediatric exams are designed so your child doesn't need to read letters or answer questions; there are objective methods to measure prescription, eye alignment, and eye health even in babies. Our team is known for its patience with kids, which turns the visit into a calm experience. A relaxed child is easier to examine, and that's why we care so much about that approach.