McLane Children's Scott & White

What is a pediatric ophthalmologist?

Pediatric ophthalmology specialists diagnose and treat conditions that involve the eyes, including the physical characteristics of the eyes as well as disease.

The pediatric ophthalmology team at Scott & White provides both medical and surgical care of a child’s eyes, depending on the young patient’s needs. As a child grows, vision changes may occur, or the same conditions that affect adults, such as cataracts and glaucoma, may appear.  Some children may be at risk for eye disease or need vision correction, especially if they were born prematurely, experienced developmental delays or brain injury, or have a family history of eye disease.

Regular vision screenings are essential to ensure the normal functioning of your child’s eyes.

What does a pediatric ophthalmologist treat?

The pediatric ophthalmology specialist at Scott & White treats patients with a spectrum of eye problems:

• Amblyopia or “lazy eye,” an inability of one eye to see details (a primary cause of vision loss in children)
• Strabismus or “crossed eyes,” an ocular misalignment in which both eyes look at different things at the same time
• Cataracts, an opacity of the lens that affects children’s ability to see
• Glaucoma, high pressure in the eye that can damage the optic nerve
• Retinal tumors that may be benign or malignant
• Corneal and external eye diseases
• Oculoplastics
• Retinopathy of prematurity
• Simple refractive errors requiring glasses

Read More

• How do I prepare my child for an upcoming surgery?
• What makes the Ophthalmology Department at Scott & White special?
• How do I schedule an appointment with a pediatric ophthalmologist?