Paediatric Ophthalmology

Common Ophthalmic Conditions that affect children

• Astigmatism: The condition is marked by an irregularity in the shape of the cornea that can cause your child’s vision to become blurred. The problem can be managed with the use of glasses
• Blocked Tear Duct: Also known as nasolacrimal duct obstruction, it is marked by excessive mucus accumulation and teary eyes. In extreme cases, the problem requires surgical management
• Cataract: It is marked by the clouding of the lens, which leads to gradual loss of vision. Cataract in kids is not very common and are often linked to genetic and metabolic factors. It can impact either one or both eyes
• Chalazion: It is characterized by the development of a small bump, typically painless, or swelling in the eyelids and is a result of blockage in the Meibomian glands. Mild to moderate cases can be managed with medicated drops and warm compressions. Severe cases call for the need for surgical interventions
• Ptosis: The condition is also known as droopy eyes and is marked by the inability to open eyelids normally. It can affect a child’s vision in the long run and often requires surgical intervention.
• Glaucoma: It is a condition caused by the build-up of pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. Children with glaucoma need surgical correction as the condition can lead to complete loss of vision
• Refractive Defects: These include problems like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. All these problems can be treated with the use of corrective glasses
• Conjunctivitis: The condition is commonly known as pink eye and refers to a severe infection in the eye, usually triggered by an infection or allergy. It can lead to irritation, itchiness and overflow of tears. It can be managed with prescribed drops and medication.

When should you consider seeing our experts?

It is important to consult our experts if your child presents with any of the following:

• If a kid has vision issues such as hazy vision, double vision, or difficulties seeing things at varying distances, a consultation with a pediatric ophthalmologist is advised to determine the underlying reason and give appropriate therapy.
• Misaligned or crossed eyes. Children with crossed or misaligned eyes should be assessed by a pediatric ophthalmologist to determine the type and level of strabismus and to develop a treatment plan to address the misalignment.
• Children with eye disorders or infections, such as conjunctivitis, eye allergies, or eye infections trauma should see a pediatric ophthalmologist for diagnosis, treatment, and management of their condition.
• Squinting, headaches, or difficulty reading or focusing are all indicators of refractive problems in children, and a consultation with a pediatric ophthalmologist is required to identify the right prescription and correction procedures.

How eye problems are diagnosed in children?

Our experts use a wide range of cutting-edge interventions for diagnosing various eye problems in kids. These include:

• Assessment of eye alignment and movement
• Binocular vision testing
• Colour vision testing
• Retinoscopy
• Pupil response test 
• Refraction test
• Visual acuity test 
• Slit lamp test

Treatments

Our department provides a comprehensive range of treatments and therapies for managing eye problems in kids. These are some examples:

• Prescription Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses: We offer prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses that are specifically designed to address the visual demands of children with refractive problems, assuring excellent vision correction and comfort.
• Vision Therapy: Our team provides vision therapy programs to help patients improve their visual abilities and address binocular vision difficulties caused by disorders like amblyopia and strabismus.
• Atropine and Patching Therapy and Atropine eye drops are used to treat amblyopia and enhance visual development in the weaker eye.
• Refractive Surgery: In some circumstances, our staff may prescribe refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, to correct vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
• Cataract Surgery for Children: We conduct pediatric cataract surgery to remove cataracts and restore clear eyesight. To guarantee proper focusing power, intraocular lens implantation may be performed during the surgery.