Pediatric Ophthalmology
-
- Tweet
Weil Eye Care Medical Center
Leslie J. Weil, MD
Ophthalmology & Botox & Fillers located in San Carlos, CA
As a parent, you want to keep your child healthy, and that includes monitoring their visual acuity and eye health. At Weil Eye Care Medical Center in San Carlos, California, Leslie Weil, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist offers pediatric ophthalmology services to help your child see clearly and thrive. Call Weil Eye Care Medical Center to schedule an eye examination online for your child today.
Pediatric Ophthalmology Q & A
What is pediatric ophthalmology?
Ophthalmology is the medical specialty area that focuses on the eyes. Pediatric ophthalmology specializes even further to focus on children’s eye health. Dr. Weil is not a subspecialist pediatric ophthalmologist. However, she sees many children for their routine eye examinations and management of their eye problems, referring to the subspecialty pediatric ophthalmologist when needed.
Your child should have their first eye exam around the age of three to four years old, they should begin to have routine eye exams every two years. The frequency of visits will depend on your child's situation and family history.
Some of the signs that indicate a vision problem in children include holding books and other items close to their faces, declining performance at school, and changes in their behavior. They might also complain of headaches or rub their eyes frequently.
What are common childhood eye diseases?
Amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (eye misalignment) are common childhood eye diseases. Between 2-3% of American children have amblyopia, but the condition is often treatable with glasses and the use of an eye patch to strengthen the weaker eye.
In some cases, there is a misalignment of the eyes due to an imbalance of the muscles around the eye (strabismus) which needs to be corrected. Depending on the situation, sometimes correction can be accomplished with glasses, particular exercises, or it may require surgical treatment.
Dr. Weil will evaluate to help determine the best treatment course and may refer to a subspecialist pediatric ophthalmologist for further determination and possible surgery.
Also, while myopia (nearsightedness) isn’t a disease, it’s becoming an increasingly prevalent childhood eye problem. Early-onset myopia often indicates a severe worsening of the condition throughout childhood, which increases their risk of eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, and other retina problems later in life.
How can I protect my child’s vision?
The best way to protect your child’s vision and eye health is to make sure they have regular eye exams. This allows Dr. Weil to monitor and track their eye health while screening for eye problems.
You may want to be mindful of the time your child spends using a screen. Devices like tablets, computers, and phones are excellent resources for education and entertainment, but when your child uses a screened device too long, they can develop side effects, including eye strain and headaches.
Wearing sunglasses outdoors during daylight hours even on cloudy days is important in protecting the health of your children's eyes and your eyes, too.
Call Weil Eye Care Medical Center or make an appointment for your child online today.
