Paediatric ophthalmology

Home » Paediatric ophthalmology

Paediatric Opthalmology

Pediatric ophthalmology is a subspecialty of ophthalmology that focuses on the eye health and vision of children. It involves the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of eye conditions that affect infants, children, and adolescents, including:

Refractive errors: These are conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, which can cause blurry vision and difficulty seeing clearly.
Amblyopia (lazy eye): This is a condition in which one eye does not develop normal visual acuity, even with the use of corrective lenses.
Strabismus (crossed or wandering eyes): This is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned, causing one or both eyes to turn inward or outward.
Congenital cataracts: These are clouding of the lens that are present at birth or develop in early childhood.
Retinopathy of prematurity: This is an eye condition that can occur in premature infants and can cause abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina.
Eye infections and inflammation: These can include conditions such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and uveitis.

Pediatric ophthalmologists have specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of these and other eye conditions that affect children. They often work closely with other healthcare providers, such as pediatricians and neonatologists, to provide comprehensive care for their young patients. Treatment may include corrective lenses, eye patching, eye drops or ointments, surgery, or a combination of these approaches. Early detection and treatment of eye conditions in children is important for maintaining good vision and overall health throughout childhood and into adulthood.

Investigations

Comprehensive eye exam: A thorough examination of the child’s eyes to assess overall eye health, vision, and any potential eye-related issues.
Visual acuity testing: Measurement of the child’s ability to see clearly at various distances, typically using a Snellen chart or other age-appropriate vision charts.
Refraction assessment: Determination of the child’s prescription for glasses or contact lenses, if needed, to correct vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.
Strabismus evaluation: Assessment and measurement of eye alignment and eye movement issues, such as crossed eyes or lazy eyes, to determine if treatment is necessary.
Stereopsis (depth perception) testing: Evaluation of the child’s ability to perceive depth and judge distances accurately.
Color vision testing: Examination of the child’s ability to distinguish different colors, which can help identify color blindness or other color vision deficiencies.
Pupil examination: Assessment of the size, shape, and reactivity of the child’s pupils, which can provide insight into potential neurological or ocular health issues.
Slit-lamp examination: A detailed examination of the child’s anterior eye structures, including the cornea, iris, and lens, using a specialized microscope called a slit lamp.
Dilated fundus examination: Evaluation of the child’s retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels at the back of the eye after dilation of the pupils, to identify any abnormalities or diseases.
Tonometry: Measurement of the pressure inside the child’s eyes (intraocular pressure) to screen for glaucoma or other eye conditions that may cause increased eye pressure.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT): A non-invasive imaging technique that provides high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the child’s retina, which can help diagnose and monitor various retinal disorders.
Visual field testing: Assessment of the child’s peripheral vision to detect any blind spots or vision loss that may be indicative of glaucoma, retinal diseases, or neurological conditions.

Treatments

Prescription glasses or contact lenses: Corrective lenses are commonly prescribed to children with refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.
Eye patches: For children with amblyopia (lazy eye), a patch is placed over the stronger eye to force the weaker eye to work harder and improve its vision.
Eye drops: Eye drops can be used to treat various eye conditions including infections, inflammation, allergies or dry eyes.
Surgery: Surgery may be recommended for children with strabismus (misaligned eyes), ptosis (drooping eyelids), cataracts, glaucoma or other eye conditions that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses or other treatments.
Vision therapy: This is a non-surgical approach to treat problems such as amblyopia, strabismus or convergence insufficiency through a series of eye exercises and other techniques.
Orthoptics: This is a type of vision therapy that is focused on improving binocular vision, eye movements and coordination.
Botox injections: Botulinum toxin injections may be used in children with strabismus to relax the muscles that are causing the misalignment of the eyes.
Low vision aids: For children with low vision, devices such as magnifying glasses, telescopes, or electronic aids can help improve their visual function.
Prosthetic eyes: For children who have lost an eye due to trauma or disease, a prosthetic eye can be fitted to improve their appearance and help maintain the shape of the eye socket.

Our Services

Comprehensive eye exams: A complete eye examination is performed to diagnose various eye problems in children including refractive errors, amblyopia, strabismus, cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye conditions.
Early detection and intervention: Pediatric ophthalmologists are trained to identify eye problems early on in life, which can help prevent vision loss and improve visual outcomes.
Vision screening: Pediatric ophthalmologists perform vision screenings for school-aged children to identify early signs of vision problems and provide appropriate treatment.
Diagnosing and treating eye diseases: Pediatric ophthalmologists diagnose and treat a variety of eye diseases in children, such as conjunctivitis, uveitis, retinopathy of prematurity, and others.
Management of eye trauma: Pediatric ophthalmologists provide emergency care for eye injuries and manage the treatment and follow-up care of children who have suffered eye trauma.
Prescribing glasses and contact lenses: Pediatric ophthalmologists prescribe glasses and contact lenses for children who need them to correct refractive errors.
Binocular vision assessment and treatment: Pediatric ophthalmologists evaluate the child’s ability to use both eyes together and provide treatment for conditions such as amblyopia, strabismus, and convergence insufficiency.
Surgical procedures: Pediatric ophthalmologists perform various surgical procedures to treat eye problems in children, including strabismus surgery, cataract surgery, and glaucoma surgery.
Genetic counseling: Pediatric ophthalmologists work with genetic counselors to diagnose and treat genetic eye diseases in children and provide genetic counseling to families.
Low vision rehabilitation: Pediatric ophthalmologists work with children with low vision to improve their visual function through the use of low vision aids, vision therapy, and other treatments.

Dr. Katherine Seng Boon Hwei

Resident Ophthalmologist

Greetings, and welcome to my eye clinic. As an ophthalmologist, I provide both clinical diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of eye diseases. My main aim is to help people lead healthier and more independent lives. I treat all my patients with great respect, listen to them carefully and take plenty of time to answer any questions they may have. It is both my pleasure and my obligation to help all my patients lead healthier, more independent lives. Upon entering our facility, you will be greeted with a smile by one of the staff members at our front desk. We are always willing to answer any questions that you may have and help make your eye care experience as pleasant as possible. We look forward to seeing you!

+601127030085katherine@eyekath.com