A pediatric ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in eye health for children. They treat children's eye diseases, treat chronic diseases, prescribe medication, and perform surgery when necessary.

 Pediatric ophthalmologists are more educated, experienced, and trained than ophthalmologists who are not specialists in pediatric visual impairment and work with them to examine their eyes. But they don't usually do regular eye exams.

 If a pediatrician, optometrist, or general ophthalmologist believes there is an eye alignment problem or other eye problem that requires special medical or surgical treatment, the child should be referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist. You can be introduced.

 Diseases treated

 Pediatric ophthalmologists manage and treat both common and rare pediatric eye conditions. More common eye diseases

 are:

 Refractive error: myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism.

 Amblyopia: Commonly known as lazy eye. Early treatment of amblyopia is important for the visual development of children.

 Strabismus: Also known as squint. Strabismus occurs when there is a problem with the muscles connected to one or both eyes.

 Ptosis: drooping of one or both upper eyelids. In severe cases, drooping eyelids can affect some of the child's vision.

 Hordeolum or chalazion: a bulge along the eyelid caused by a minor bacterial infection.

 Eye Infections

 Eye Injuries and Trauma

 Pediatric ophthalmologists may also treat rare eye conditions such as:

 Congenital Cataract: The child's natural lens inside the eye is cloudy at birth, just behind the pupil.

 Congenital glaucoma: Abnormal accumulation of fluid pressure in the eye. Children may be born with congenital glaucoma or develop it shortly after birth.

 Albinism: The body does not produce enough melanin pigment, resulting in lighter skin and hair. Albinism can cause some eye problems. [Reference: Albinism of the eye. ]

 Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): A retinal disease that affects some preterm babies.

 Uveitis: Inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea). Cases of uveitis are usually chronic.

 4th nerve palsy (superior oblique muscle): If the eye muscles are weak, the eyes are displaced and diplopia occurs.

 Retinoblastoma: A rare type of eye cancer. If detected early, the success rate of treatment is very high.

 Retinitis pigmentosa: A rare condition in which the retina gradually deteriorates over time.

 Infant nystagmus: A rare condition that causes constant or unsteady eye movements.

 Some doctors treat conditions that others cannot. Check with your pediatric ophthalmologist's office to be sure you can treat a particular condition.

 What you can expect

 Pediatric ophthalmologists have several medical tests that can be done to diagnose and treat the above and other conditions. After that

 If the doctors have a general idea of ​​your child's condition, they may do one or more of the following tests:

 Vision test and grading

 Doctors do some tests to see how well your child is doing. If your child benefits from wearing glasses, your doctor will give you a corrective lens.

Some pupil dilation

 The tests require the child's pupil to be wide open so the doctor can see more of the eye. The pupils are dilated with the drops and the child's vision becomes blurred for the next few hours. Mydriasis does not cause pain, but your eyes will be light-sensitive for a while.

 Eye Alignment Test

 Doctors can run tests to diagnose conditions such as strabismus and amblyopia and determine treatment.

 Examination under anesthesia

 Some eye exams are difficult or impossible to do while the child is awake and awake. These further tests should be performed under anesthesia. So the child is sleeping.

 The pediatric ophthalmologist can also prescribe any treatment needed to improve or alleviate the condition of the child's eyes. Depending on the condition diagnosed, treatment options include:

•  Prescription glasses or contact lenses
•  Special glasses or eye patches (used to treat amblyopia)
•  lubricating eye drops
•  medical eye drops
•  oral medication
•  Surgical treatment

 When to see a pediatric ophthalmologist

 Start by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam for your child with your optometer. If they think your child should see a pediatric ophthalmologist, they will introduce you to an ophthalmologist.

 Some insurances may require a referral from an optometrist, pediatrician, or GP before the insurance company accepts the appointment.