Pediatric ophthalmology in Ahmedabad
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What is pediatric ophthalmology?
Pediatric ophthalmology is a specialized branch of medicine focused on the eye health of children. It involves diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions and vision problems unique to infants, children, and adolescents. Early eye examinations and timely interventions are crucial in ensuring that children achieve optimal visual development and eye health.
The importance of pediatric eye care
Children’s eyes are constantly developing, particularly during their early years. Regular eye exams are vital because many eye conditions can go unnoticed and, if untreated, can lead to long-term vision problems. Pediatric eye care is important for:
- Early detection of vision problems: Identifying issues like refractive errors (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism) early can help prevent learning difficulties and developmental delays.
- Preventing eye diseases: Conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes) can be treated effectively if diagnosed early, preventing permanent vision loss.
- Ensuring overall eye health: Early identification of other health conditions that might affect the eyes, such as diabetes or neurological disorders, can be crucial for a child’s well-being.
Common pediatric eye conditions
Pediatric ophthalmologists specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions that affect children. Early detection and treatment of these conditions are crucial for ensuring optimal visual development and preventing long-term vision problems. Below are some of the most common pediatric eye conditions:
Refractive errors occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina, leading to blurred vision. They are among the most common eye problems in children and can affect one or both eyes. The main types of refractive errors include:
Myopia (Nearsightedness):
- Symptoms: Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, squinting, eye strain, and headaches.
- Causes: Caused by an eyeball that is too long or a cornea that is too curved. Often hereditary and influenced by prolonged near-work activities.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness):
- Symptoms: Difficulty seeing close objects clearly, eye strain, headaches, and trouble with reading and other close-up activities.
- Causes: Results from an eyeball that is too short or a cornea with too little curvature. Can be genetic and often improves as the child grows.
Astigmatism:
- Symptoms: Blurred or distorted vision at all distances, squinting, headaches, head tilt, rubbing and eye discomfort.
- Causes: Caused by an irregular shape of the cornea or lens, often present at birth and may run in families.
- Treatment for refractive errors: It typically involves prescription glasses or contact lenses to correct the focus of light on the retina. In some cases, orthokeratology (specialized contact lenses worn overnight) or refractive surgery may be considered for older children and teenagers.
Strabismus is a condition where the eyes do not align properly and point in different directions. One eye may look straight ahead while the other turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. Strabismus can be constant or intermittent and is caused by an imbalance in the muscles controlling eye movement.
- Symptoms: Misalignment of the eyes, double vision, squinting, head tilting, and decreased depth perception.
- Causes: Can be genetic, due to nerve or muscle abnormalities, uncorrected refractive errors, or associated with conditions like cerebral palsy or Down syndrome.
- Treatment: Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing vision problems. Treatment options for strabismus include prescription glasses, prisms, eye exercises, and, in some cases, surgery to realign the eye muscles. The goal of treatment is to improve eye alignment, coordination, and vision in both eyes.
Blocked tear ducts, or nasolacrimal duct obstruction, occur when the tear drainage system is not fully open, leading to watery eyes and recurrent infections. This condition is common in newborns and usually resolves on its own within the first year of life.
- Symptoms: Excessive tearing, discharge from the eye, crusting on the eyelids, and recurrent eye infections. In severe cases, the tear duct may become infected (dacryocystitis), causing redness and swelling near the inner corner of the eye.
- Causes: Often due to underdeveloped tear ducts at birth, infection, or congenital structural issues.
- Treatment: Most cases of blocked tear ducts resolve without intervention. Gentle massage of the tear ducts, such as Criggler massage, prescribed by an ophthalmologist, can help open the blockage. If the condition persists beyond the first year of life or if infections are frequent, a minor surgical procedure (probing) may be performed to open the tear ducts.
Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is a condition where one eye has reduced vision because it does not develop properly during childhood. This happens when the brain favors one eye over the other, often due to a significant difference in prescription between the two eyes (anisometropia), strabismus, or a blockage like a cataract.
- Symptoms: Reduced vision in one eye, difficulty with depth perception, squinting, and head tilting.
- Causes: Often due to strabismus (misaligned eyes), significant differences in refractive errors between the two eyes (anisometropia), or conditions blocking vision like congenital cataracts.
- Treatment: Early intervention is crucial for treating amblyopia. Treatment options may include corrective glasses or contact lenses, patching the stronger eye to force the weaker eye to work harder, or using atropine eye drops to temporarily blurry vision in the stronger eye. Vision therapy and exercises may also be recommended to improve coordination and focus.
Congenital cataracts are a clouding of the eye's lens present at birth or developing during infancy. This condition can block light from entering the eye and prevent normal visual development. Congenital cataracts can affect one or both eyes and vary in size and density.
- Symptoms: Lack of visual response to visual stimuli, abnormal eye movements, a white or cloudy pupil (leukocoria), and sensitivity to light.
- Causes: Genetic factors, infections during pregnancy (e.g., rubella), metabolic disorders, or eye trauma.
- Treatment: Surgical removal of the cataract is usually required to restore vision, often followed by the placement of an intraocular lens (IOL) or the use of contact lenses or glasses to correct vision. Early surgery, ideally within the first few months of life, is crucial for normal visual development.
Ptosis is a condition characterized by the drooping of one or both upper eyelids, which can partially or completely block vision if severe. Ptosis can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life due to muscle or nerve problems.
- Symptoms: Visibly droopy eyelid, tilting the head back to see better, raising the eyebrows to lift the eyelids, and vision obstruction in severe cases.
- Causes: Usually caused by congenital muscle development issues, nerve problems, trauma, or genetic disorders.
- Treatment: Treatment depends on the severity of the ptosis and its impact on vision. In mild cases, no treatment may be necessary, and regular monitoring is sufficient. In more severe cases, especially if vision is affected or if it leads to amblyopia, surgical correction is often recommended to raise the eyelid and improve vision.
Pediatric ophthalmology services
Pediatric ophthalmology services encompass a range of diagnostic and treatment options designed to address children’s unique eye care needs:
- Detects eye problems early, even before symptoms arise.
- Uses child-friendly tools and techniques tailored for different ages.
- Essential for identifying issues like refractive errors, amblyopia, and other eye conditions.
- Dilated retinoscopy examines the retina and optic nerve to assess eye health and detect any abnormalities.
- Refraction testing determines the precise prescription needed for glasses or contact lenses, if required.
- Measures how well a child can see at different distances.
- Helps identify refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism).
- Uses age-appropriate methods such as pictures, letters, or shapes.
- Assesses eye function and coordination.
- Diagnoses and manages conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes).
- Includes tests for eye movements, alignment, and focusing ability.
- Strabismus surgery: Corrects eye misalignment to improve coordination.
- Congenital cataract surgery: Removes cataracts present at birth to prevent vision loss.
- Ptosis surgery: Lifts droopy eyelids that can obstruct vision.
- Non-surgical approach using exercises and activities to improve visual skills.
- Effective for conditions like amblyopia and strabismus.
- Includes both in-office sessions and at-home exercises.
- Aims to enhance eye-brain communication and overall visual function.
Preparing for your child’s eye exam
A child’s visit to the eye doctor can be made easier with a little preparation:
- Explain the visit: Help your child understand what to expect by explaining that the eye doctor will check how well they can see and might use special lights or pictures.
- Bring comfort items: A favourite toy or book can help make the visit more enjoyable and less stressful for your child.
- Provide medical history: Be ready to share any relevant medical history, including any family history of eye conditions or your child’s developmental milestones.
When to schedule an eye exam for children?
It’s important for children to have regular eye exams to ensure their eyes are healthy and developing properly. Some general guidelines for when to schedule eye exams include:
- Infants: The first eye exam should be at around six months of age.
- Preschoolers: Children should have their eyes examined at least once between ages 3 and 5.
- School-aged children: Annual eye exams are recommended, especially if they already wear glasses or contact lenses or if their parents have a history of glass.
Why choose Krisha Eye hospital in Ahmedabad for pediatric ophthalmology?
Choosing the right eye care provider for your child is crucial. Here’s why Krisha Eye hospital in Ahmedabad is a trusted choice for pediatric ophthalmology:
- Expert pediatric ophthalmologists: Our team specializes in children’s eye health and stays updated with the latest advancements to provide top-notch care.
- Child-friendly environment: We create a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere, ensuring a positive experience for children and families.
- Comprehensive services: From routine exams to advanced surgeries, we offer a full range of pediatric eye care under one roof.
- Advanced technology and techniques: Using state-of-the-art tools, we provide accurate diagnoses and effective treatments with minimal discomfort.
- Personalized care plans: We tailor our care to each child’s unique needs, ensuring the best outcomes.
- Family-centered approach: We involve parents in every step, providing clear communication and compassionate care.
- Proven track record: With a strong reputation and many success stories, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality pediatric eye care.
What our patients say
Author bio
Dr. Dhwani Maheshwari, an esteemed ophthalmologist with over 8 years of experience, leads Krisha Eye Hospital in Ahmedabad with a commitment to advanced, patient-centered eye care. Specializing in cataract and refractive surgery, Dr. Maheshwari has performed more than a thousand successful surgeries. Her expertise lies in phacoemulsification, a technique recognized for its precision in cataract treatment.
Dr. Maheshwari’s educational journey includes an MBBS from Smt. NHL MMC, a DOMS from M & J Institute of Ophthalmology, and a DNB in Ophthalmology from Mahatme Eye Bank Eye Hospital, Nagpur. She also completed a fellowship in phacoemulsification at Porecha Blindness Trust Hospital, further enhancing her surgical skills. In addition to her work at Krisha Eye Hospital, Dr. Maheshwari serves as a consultant ophthalmologist at Northstar Diagnostic Centre.
Under her leadership, Krisha Eye Hospital aims to bring all superspecialties under one roof, offering comprehensive eye care solutions for all vision needs.
FAQs related to pediatric ophthalmology
During the visit, our pediatric ophthalmologists will conduct a thorough eye examination using age-appropriate methods. Depending on your child's needs, the exam may include visual acuity testing, eye alignment checks, and a full eye health assessment.
We prioritize your child’s safety. We use the latest surgical techniques and state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring a safe environment with minimal discomfort. Our pediatric ophthalmologists are experienced in performing surgeries specifically for children.
We have a dedicated team ready to handle pediatric eye emergencies. If your child experiences an eye injury or sudden vision changes, please contact us immediately for prompt evaluation and care.
You can book an appointment by contacting our hospital directly through phone number, or by using the online appointment system.
Krisha Eye hospital in Ahmedabad is equipped to accommodate children with disabilities. Please inform us of any special needs when scheduling your appointment, and our staff will ensure appropriate accommodations are made.
We adhere to strict privacy policies and protocols to protect patient information. Your child’s medical records and personal information are securely managed in compliance with applicable regulations.
Our pediatric ophthalmology treatments have a high success rate. While specific rates vary by condition, we generally see excellent outcomes for refractive corrections, amblyopia treatments, strabismus surgery, congenital cataract surgery, and ptosis correction. For detailed success rates related to your child’s condition, please consult with our team.
The cost of pediatric ophthalmology services varies depending on the type of examination or treatment. For accurate pricing related to your child’s needs, please contact or visit our hospital.
Common O.P.Ds in the pediatric ophthalmology at Krisha Eye hospital include trauma to the eye or surrounding area (such as from hand or finger injuries), allergic conjunctivitis, and blurriness in vision.