Pediatric Conditions of the Vision and Eyes we Treat

Amblyopia is a vision problem where the eye or eyes have difficulty focusing clearly on objects.

Astigmatism, hyperopia and myopia are the most common (20%) eye problems seen in children. Astigmatism is a condition where the curve of the cornea (the clear round part in the front of the eye) is abnormal. Hyperopia is when objects up close are seen out of focus. Myopia is when distant objects are seen out of focus.

Blepharitis is a benign, often recurring inflammation or infection of the eyelids. It can become chronic lasting into adulthood.

The tear duct (nasolacrimal duct) is the tube that carries tears from the corner of the eye to the nose. Blockage (occurring in up to 10% of newborn babies and in 30% of children blockage happens on both sides) prevents tears from lubricating the eye properly or draining normally.

When the lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, this condition is known as a cataract.

A chalazion is a persistent slow growing painless variably sized swelling or lump (or more than one) found anywhere in the upper and/or lower eyelid.

Any problem with the eyes or eyelids that develops in a fetus while it’s still in the uterus is known as a congenital malformation of the lids and eyes.

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an eye infection of the transparent tissue surrounding the eye that is common among children.

The cornea is the clear outer dome shaped surface in the front of the eye covering the eye’s pupil and iris. When it gets injured by a scratch or scrape, it’s known as a corneal abrasion.

Temporary or permanent vision problems that occur because of injury or damage to the brain areas responsible for vision (as opposed to problems with the eyes) is known as cortical visual impairment.

Duane syndrome is a rare congenital eye movement disorder (a form of strabismus) present at birth (more often in girls) where there is difficulty moving the eyes (one or both) horizontally, inwards towards the nose, outwards towards the ears or in both directions (a miswiring of the eye muscles).

The eye socket (or orbit) is the bony opening/cup in the skull that both protects and surrounds the eye. If one or more bones surrounding the eye is broken (fractured) it's known as an eye socket or orbital fracture.

The motion of the eyes as a person moves them to look around is controlled by muscles. When these muscles don’t work properly, this is known as an eye muscle disorder or eye movement disorder.

Glaucoma is a condition that occurs due to high pressure in the eye and damage to the optic nerve. It leads to vision problems, eye pain, redness and can ultimately cause blindness with time.

The uvea is the middle layer of the eye that supplies blood and nourishment to the eye. It is made up of 3 parts: the iris (the colored part of the eye), the ciliary body and the choroid. Uveitis refers to the serious inflammation or swelling of this layer. When uveitis occurs near the front of the uvea, (anterior uveitis) the iris alone (iritis, the most common form of uveitis) or the iris and choroid are inflamed.

Keratitis is an inflammation or infection of the cornea.

When the tear ducts are blocked and do not allow tears to flow from the corners of the eyes properly, this is known as a lacrimal or tearing problem.

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy is an inherited form of blindness. Usually occurring in adolescent or older males, rare cases may start early in childhood.

Myopia is a common vision problem that’s usually referred to as nearsightedness and is classified as a “refractive error” (when the eye doesn’t focus the light correctly). Myopia is when your child can see things close up but has difficulty seeing objects far away.

Tears normally drain from the eye through small openings in the corners of the eyelids, entering the nose through the nasolacrimal duct. When the tear ducts are blocked it’s known as nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

When a problem with the brain or neurological conditions, such as migraine, multiple sclerosis, hydrocephalus, brain tumor, optic atrophy and others, causes vision problems, this is known as neuro-ophthalmic causes of visual loss.

Ocular injury is just a medical term for eye injury, which can take a variety of forms and happen for a number of reasons.

Ocular tumors are any type of tumor that impacts the eyeball or the surrounding area. They can be benign or malignant.

The optic nerve is the nerve pathway that connects the eye to the brain, sending visual messages to the brain for interpretation. Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which becomes swollen, doesn’t function normally and results in loss of vision. It can occur in one or both eyes.

Glioma is a specific type of slow growing tumor that starts in one of the cells of the brain or spinal cord. When this tumor grows on or around the visual system it is known as an optic pathway glioma.

Orbital cellulitis is a major infection of the soft tissues behind the eye which may involve the cheeks, eyebrows, eyelids and muscles.

Please see conjunctivitis for more information.

Ptosis is a drooping eyelid with the upper eyelid falling to a lower position than normal.

Please see Vision Problems for further information.

ROP is an eye disease affecting the retina (the tissue at the back of the eye that senses light, sending those signals to the brain to be interpreted as sight) that occurs in some babies who are born very immature (before 31 weeks gestation/1250 grams or less-a normal full term pregnancy is 38-42 weeks).

Sarcoidosis is a rare chronic inflammatory disease which results in granulomas that can usually affects the skin, joints, eyes, lungs, lymph nodes in children.

Strabismus, or crossed eyes, is a common form of eye muscle disorder in young children.

The uvea is the middle colored layer of the eye that supplies blood and nourishment to the eye. Uveitis refers to the inflammation or swelling of this layer which can involve the whole of the uvea (panuveitis), or any part of it.

School aged children frequently have vision problems which include focus and alignment disorders (like refractive errors, amblyopia “lazy eye”, and strabismus) and eye diseases (like conjunctivitis, cataracts, and color blindness).