Paediatric ophthalmology is a sub-speciality of ophthalmology concerned with eye diseases, visual development, and vision care in children.
The separation of eye care for children and young people from that of adults helps to ensure that they are treated by appropriately experienced Paediatric Ophthalmologist Consultants in an environment which is child and family friendly.
The most common eye
problems affecting children include Lazy Eye (Amblyopia), Squints (Strabismus),
and Watery Eye (Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction). However, we can provide
management of other paediatric conditions such as chalazions, conjunctivitis
and red eye.
Many children with eye problems have other health or developmental issues which may be related or incidental but will have great impact on a child’s development and schooling. Paediatric Ophthalmologists are often asked to work in a multi-disciplinary team to examine children to confirm or exclude ocular signs of a multi-system disorder and to help in the overall assessment and management of children with complex needs. Our Paediatric Ophthalmologist works alongside an Orthoptist to help provide the assessment needed at your initial appointment.
Orthoptists are often the first healthcare professional involved in the diagnosis of the following conditions:
- double vision
- wobbly eyes (nystagmus)
- droopy lids (ptosis)
Paediatric Orthoptists investigate, diagnose, monitor and manage visual disorders related to eye development such as lazy eye (amblyopia), wobbly eyes (nystagmus), and eye misalignment assessment and management.
Our Orthoptist can also provide services for adults. For adults, Orthoptists investigate, diagnose, monitor and manage eye symptoms related to eye misalignment and near focusing problems, such as squint and problems with using the eyes together. We also provide specialist diagnostics for neurological visual field assessment.
Amblyopia is the most common cause of reduced vision in children in the western world. It is a developmental problem in which the brain starts to ignore an eye whose “optical image” is blurred (the lazy eye). This commonly occurs due to the difference in the spectacle prescription for each eye or due to a squint. We treat amblyopia by optimising vision with glasses and penalising the “good” eye to force the “bad” eye to see with patches or drops.
It depends on the type. Squints can be managed conservatively with glasses, prisms or patching. Some types of squint are treated through injections using specific medications, while others are managed surgically by an operation on the muscles of the eye.
Following assessment, your Consultant and Orthoptist can advise which treatment option would best suit your child.
We provide a complete paediatric ophthalmology service which includes a full orthoptic, optical and ophthalmological review. Assessment includes vision testing and ophthalmic imaging. We provide sub-specialty care in paediatric ophthalmic genetics, squint, amblyopia, paediatric cataract, paediatric glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology and lacrimal disorders such as dry eye syndrome.
We completely understand that for children, the prospect of being admitted into hospital can be unsettling. That’s why at Eye Care Scotland our experienced Paediatric Consultants and support team are there to help make your child feel at ease in our child-friendly and relaxing environment.
