| Pediatric ophthalmology |
The pediatric ophthalmology department deals with the various eye disorders in children like refractive errors, squint and lazy eye (amblyopia). Children may not complain of visual impairment, hence vision screening and parental counseling forms a major component of pediatric eye care.
|
An uncorrected refractive error (need for spectacles) is one of the main reasons of visual deprivation in children. If not treated at an appropriate age, it may lead to poor development of the visual apparatus and permanent vision loss.
|
Squint or cross eyes can develop in children as well as adults due to an uncorrected refractive error, eye muscle imbalance or neurological factors. These cases can be treated by prescription of glasses and prisms, exercises and eye muscle surgery.
|
Lazy eye (amblyopia) develops due to an improper maturation of the visual system due to an uncorrected refractive error or squint. This needs early detection and treatment with glasses and occlusion (patching) to restore normal binocular vision.
|
Newborns and children may also develop structural eye disorders like retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), congenital or childhood cataract and glaucoma. These if untreated at an early age, may cause permanent visual deficit.
|
|
|
