How To Choose The Right Eye Specialist For Your Child

Have you ever browsed through a clothes store with a child, marvelling at the vast array of colourful options, each seeming just as attractive as the other, and found yourself overwhelmed with the available choices?

Finding the right eye doctor for your child could be as confusing as picking the best t-shirt for your child and requires careful consideration. With so many terms floating around such as "best eye specialist," "ophthalmologist selection," and the prospect of "finding the right eye doctor," for your child, it's essential to know where to start. If you've observed any issues with their eyesight or if their pediatrician has recommended a check-up, various eye specialists are available to assist.

Eye specialists are healthcare providers who are experts in taking care of the eyes and vision. They see people of all ages for everything from routine eye exams to complex issues, including eye surgeries.1 While people usually refer to their eye care specialist as eye doctor, it is important to know that only certain types of eye care specialists are certified medical doctors (MDs).

Here's a guide to help you in your journey of finding the right eye doctor before you schedule an eye exam for your child

Step 1: Determine the type of eye specialist your child needs

It’s important to determine the type of eye specialist your child needs.

Optometrists aren’t medical doctors but have a Doctor of Optometry (OD). They can diagnose and treat common eye diseases and vision problems but cannot perform surgeries.

Opticians are eye care specialists who help choose the right eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision correction devices. They can help get the right corrective lenses for your child after your optometrist or ophthalmologist gives you a prescription, however, they are not qualified to diagnose or treat eye problems.¹

Step 2: Make a list of eye specialists you can take your child to

Ophthalmologist selection becomes more manageable when you understand their areas of expertise. Certain specialists might have a niche, whether it's treating specific conditions like lazy eye, myopia, eye infections or offering vision therapy. Once you have a list, evaluate your options for eye specialists based on their credentials and experience in eye care. Begin your ophthalmologist selection by asking friends, family, or even your paediatrician, as they can often provide referrals based on your child's specific needs.

Step 3: Do your research online

Looking for best eye specialist nearby on trusted search engines may also help derive location-specific results. Dive into platforms and health forums before you schedule an eye exam with the eye specialist. Check out reviews, ratings, and testimonials to gather a rounded perspective on the potential eye specialist that is best for your child.

Step 4: Prioritize location

While finding the right eye doctor, consider options around your location by searching for best eye specialist nearby while making your list for ophthalmologist selection. While expertise is paramount, proximity plays a vital role too. Especially in case of emergencies or regular eye check-ups, a nearby location can be beneficial. Always consider the best eye specialist nearby when making your list.

Step 5: Look for ophthalmologists that specialize in pediatrics

If your child faces some problems with vision, then early treatment is critical to restore and maintain good vision, which is why they may need to see a pediatric ophthalmologist. A specialist who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye disorders in children is called a pediatric opthalmologist. They can examine children’s eyes, test their vision, and prescribe glasses or contacts if necessary and even use vision tests and equipment that is specific for the developmental stage and size of children. While general pediatricians do have some training in children’s eye disorders, pediatric ophthalmologists have greater knowledge and experience in diagnosing and treating eye conditions common in children.² Apart from performing eye exams, diagnosing and managing eye problems, pediatric opthalmologists are qualified to perform surgeries in children such as microsurgery, and laser surgery (for problems like weak eye muscles, crossed eyes, wandering eyes, blocked tear ducts, and retinal problems).³

Depending upon the condition, there are different types of pediatric eye surgeries. Strabismus surgery is used to treat crossed eyes by loosening or tightening eye muscles, thus changing the alignment of the eyes.⁴ Tear duct surgeries are performed to correct blocked tear ducts when the eyes are not able to drain normally, leaving a watery, irritated eye. It involves procedures called dacryocystorhinostomy that opens the passageway for tears to drain out the nose.⁵ Cataract surgeries are performed to remove the eye’s natural lens when it is cloudy.⁶ There are surgeries to manage childhood glaucoma too such as goniotomy, trabeculotomy, trabeculectomy, combined trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy, tube shunt surgery, cyclodestruction, and deep sclerectomy, all of which help to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) either by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye or decreasing the production of fluid within the eye.^7,8

Moreover, opthalmologists can help diagnose eye infections in children which are caused due to microorganisms like a bacteria, viruses or funguses, the most common of them being conjunctivitis. Others include stye, blepharitis, cellulitis, endophthalmitis, etc. If you observe any symptoms such as red eyes, itching or irritation, swelling, watery eyes, eye pain, swelling, discharge, blurred vision and fever in your child, it could be due to an eye infection. It is important to immediately consult your pediatrician ophthalmologist or eye doctor.⁹

Step 6: Assess the environment

Visit the clinic before-hand or gather insights from people who have visited the chosen clinic to see if the environment is kid-friendly, Watch how the staff, interact with the young patients. Ask about equipment and technology used at the clinic because a clinic updated with the latest technology ensures the best diagnostic tools for your child. Moreover, a good eye specialist will always be open to questions, provide clear explanations, and make you feel involved in your child's care, so feel free to ask questions.

Step 7: Schedule an eye exam

Once you're satisfied with your choice, you can schedule an eye exam for your child. Ensure the timing is convenient, so your child is alert and cooperative. Discuss any specific concerns or observations you might have about your child's vision prior to the exam.

Thus, finding the right eye specialist for your child might feel overwhelming, but armed with this guide and the right resources, you can confidently make an informed choice. Remember, it's not just about vision; it's about ensuring a clear future for your child.

References

1. Cleveland Clinic medical professional. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Eye Care Specialists: Types of Eye Doctors & What They Treat; [cited 2023 Oct 27].
Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/8607-eye-care-specialists

2. WebMD [Internet]. What Is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist?; [cited 2023 Oct 27].
Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-pediatric-ophthalmologist

3. HealthyChildren.org [Internet]. What is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist?; [cited 2023 Oct 28].
Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/pediatric-specialists/Pages/What-is-a-Pediatric-Ophthalmologist.aspx

4. AAPOS Home - American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus [Internet]. Strabismus Surgery - American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus; [cited 2023 Oct 28].
Available from: https://aapos.org/glossary/strabismus-surgery

5. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Blocked tear duct-Blocked tear duct - Diagnosis & treatment - Mayo Clinic; 2023 Mar 8 [cited 2023 Oct 28].
Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blocked-tear-duct/diagnosis-treatment/drc-203513756

6. American Academy of Ophthalmology [Internet]. Cataract Surgery: Risks, Recovery, Costs; [cited 2023 Oct 28].
Available from: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-cataract-surgery

7. Chen TC, Chen PP, Francis BA, Junk AK, Smith SD, Singh K, Lin SC. Pediatric Glaucoma Surgery. Ophthalmology [Internet]. 2014 Nov [cited 2023 Oct 28];121(11):2107-15.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2014.05.010

8. Glaucoma.org [Internet]. Surgical Treatments for Pediatric Glaucoma | glaucoma.org; [cited 2023 Oct 28].
Available from: https://glaucoma.org/surgical-treatments-for-pediatric-glaucoma/

9. Cleveland Clinic medical professional. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Eye Infection: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment; [cited 2023 Oct 28].
Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25000-eye-infection

FAQs on How To Choose The Right Eye Specialist For Your Child

Q1.What is a pediatric eye specialist?
Ans. If your child faces some problems with vision, then early treatment is critical to restore and maintain good vision, which is why they may need to see a pediatric ophthalmologist. A specialist who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye disorders in children is called a pediatric ophthalmologist.

Q2.Can a pediatrician treat eye?
Ans. While general pediatricians do have some training in children’s eye disorders, pediatric ophthalmologists have greater knowledge and experience in diagnosing and treating eye conditions common in children.² Apart from performing eye exams, diagnosing and managing eye problems, pediatric opthalmologists are qualified to perform surgeries in children such as microsurgery, and laser surgery (for problems like weak eye muscles, crossed eyes, wandering eyes, blocked tear ducts, and retinal problems).

Q3.What is a specialist who treats disorders of the eye called?
Ans. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy who are qualified to diagnose and treat disorders that affect your eyes and vision, such as myopia or nearsightedness, eye infections and may also be qualified to perform eye surgeries.

Q4.What are the different types of eye surgery for children?
Ans. Depending upon the condition, there are different types of pediatric eye surgeries. Strabismus surgery is used to treat crossed eyes by loosening or tightening eye muscles, thus changing the alignment of the eyes.⁴ Tear duct surgeries are performed to correct blocked tear ducts when the eyes are not able to drain normally, leaving a watery, irritated eye.⁵Cataract surgeries are performed to remove the eye’s natural lens when it is cloudy.⁶ There are surgeries to manage childhood glaucoma too such as goniotomy, trabeculotomy, trabeculectomy, combined trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy, tube shunt surgery, cyclodestruction, deep sclerectomy, all of which help to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) either by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye or decreasing the production of fluid within the eye.^7.8

Q5.When should I call the pediatrician for an eye infection?
Ans. If you observe any symptoms such as red eyes, itching or irritation, swelling, watery eyes, eye pain, swelling, discharge, blurred vision, and fever in your child, it could be due to an eye infection. It is important to immediately consult your pediatrician ophthalmologist or eye doctor.