Paediatric Ophthalmology focuses on visual system development issues and the diseases that disrupt visual development in children, including retinopathy in premature infants and genetic disorders (approximately 30% of genetic syndromes affect the eyes). Special techniques are required to assess visual acuity in infants and children, including the use of electroretinography (ERG) and visual evoked potentials (VEP).
As well as surgery, this service specialty manages children's eye problems using glasses and medications. In addition to children with obvious vision problems, Paediatric Ophthalmologists assess and treat those with head turns, tilts, squints, or preferred head postures (torticollis). Pediatric ophthalmologists also typically manage adults with eye movement disorders. Another area of specialty involves the evaluation of visual issues in education, including dyslexia and attention deficit disorder.
Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes and is often associated with amblyopia (lazy eye). The inward turning gaze known as "crossed-eyes" is an example of strabismus, however, the term applies to other types of misalignments including an upward, downward, or outward turning eye. Amblyopia occurs when the vision of one eye is significantly better than the other eye and the brain begins to ignore the weaker one. The management of amblyopia involves correcting refractive errors and using techniques that encourage the brain to pay attention to the weaker eye, such as occlusion therapy. As well as general ophthalmologic conditions such as infection, cataracts, glaucoma, and tumors, Paediatric Ophthalmologists have special training in assessment of trauma and ophthalmic manifestations of child abuse.
