Pediatric Eye Care

Pediatric eye care is crucial for children's health, development, and overall well-being. This branch of ophthalmology includes vision screenings, comprehensive eye exams, treatment of eye disorders and diseases, and prescription of corrective lenses for children. 

Common eye conditions that pediatric eye care covers include:

• Amblyopia (lazy eye)
• Strabismus (crossed eyes)
• Nearsightedness
• Farsightedness
• Astigmatism
• Eye infections

Early detection and treatment of eye problems in children can prevent deteriorating vision or other long-term complications. At EyesNY, we offer eye exams, diagnoses, and treatments to deal with eye health concerns in young patients.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), It is recommended that children have their first eye exam at around six months of age, with regular follow-up exams as recommended by the pediatric eye doctor.

Visiting an eye doctor at an early age is essential for multiple reasons, including:

• Early detection of eye conditions: Regular eye exams can help detect any potential vision problems early and start treatment promptly to avoid further complications. 
• Eye condition treatment: Visiting your pediatric eye doctor can help your child manage conditions such as strabismus or astigmatism with the proper treatment.
• Preventing learning problems: Eyesight issues can heavily interfere with a child’s learning development. Ensuring their vision is adequate can prevent these problems.

Since children are usually not communicative about vision problems, parents should pay close attention to the signs that could suggest a vision problem, such as:

• Sitting very close to the TV
• Squinting
• Tilting their head
• Rubbing their eyes frequently
• Light sensitivity

For a precise diagnosis, visit any of our locations in New York. Our eye specialists can identify children's earliest stages of eye conditions through comprehensive eye exams. 

Several pediatric eye conditions can affect children’s vision. Many of these conditions may not be identifiable with obvious symptoms. 

Regular visits with a pediatric eye doctor can help with early detection. Some of these pediatric eye issues include:

Amblyopia (lazy eye)

Amblyopia occurs when one eye has weaker vision than the other and leads to poor visual development. Symptoms include blurred or double vision, squinting, and poor depth perception.

Strabismus (crossed eyes)

Strabismus happens when the eyes are misaligned or “crossed.” If left untreated, it could develop into amblyopia. Symptoms include double vision, headaches, and difficulty with reading or other tasks.

Refractive Errors 

These conditions include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness, and astigmatism. Symptoms include blurry vision, headaches, and difficulty with reading or other tasks. 

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis refers to the inflammation of the membrane inside the eyelid, which also covers the white part of the eye. Symptoms can include redness, itching, burning, discharge, and sensitivity to light.

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

ROP usually happens in babies whose blood vessels grow in the retina. Symptoms include poor vision, crossed eyes, and a white or cloudy pupil appearance.

Our specialists might ask about the child's medical or family history of eye diseases during the eye exam. Knowing about their lifestyle and family can help determine if they have eye conditions that need treatment.

Treatment for pediatric eye conditions will depend on the extent of the disease and the child’s age. Common treatments include the following:

• Eye patching: For conditions like amblyopia or strabismus, eye patching can help to force the weaker eye to develop better vision. 
• Prescription glasses: Your eye doctor can prescribe glasses to treat refractive errors. 
• Eye exercises: Eye exercises can help develop visual skills so the eyes and brain communicate correctly.
• Antibiotic eye drops: For bacterial conditions, such as conjunctivitis, antibiotic eye drops can help soothe symptoms and eliminate the bacteria. 
• Surgery: Surgery can help prevent vision loss or realign the eyes in complex cases.