The human eyes are an amazing and essential part of your body. From an early age, you are reliant on your vision for learning, exploring, and navigating the world around you. However, not all children are born with great vision and have to go through the process of having their vision corrected. This is where a pediatric ophthalmology surgeon plays a vital role.
Take a closer look below at the specialized field of pediatric ophthalmology and what role a pediatric ophthalmology surgeon plays in a child's vision care.
Who is a Pediatric Ophthalmology Surgeon?
A pediatric ophthalmology surgeon is a children’s eye care provider. They are trained to treat eye issues in children ranging from infants to teenagers. Beyond just eye exams, pediatric ophthalmology surgeons perform specialized surgical procedures to correct vision problems, such as strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), and eye misalignments. Additionally, these surgeons can also perform surgery on children with eye disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma, and even tumors affecting the eye.
What Qualifications do Pediatric Ophthalmology Surgeons Have?
Pediatric ophthalmology surgeons have to undergo specialized training to earn their certification. They attend medical school and complete a residency in ophthalmology but then go through an additional fellowship that focuses on pediatric eye conditions. During this fellowship, they learn how to diagnose and treat various eye conditions in children and how to perform different surgical procedures.
What Procedures do Pediatric Ophthalmology Surgeons Perform?
Pediatric ophthalmology surgeons perform a variety of procedures to correct eye problems in children. Some of the most common procedures that they perform are strabismus surgery, which helps correct misaligned eyes; pediatric cataract surgery, which involves removing the cloudy lens from a child's eye, and glaucoma treatment. These surgeons are also involved in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a condition that can cause blindness in premature babies.
When Should I Take My Child to See a Pediatric Ophthalmology Surgeon?
As a parent, you should keep an eye on your child's eye health from an early age. If you notice any signs of vision problems such as squinting, headaches, rubbing their eyes frequently, or having trouble focusing, you should take your child to see a pediatric ophthalmology surgeon. Additionally, if your child has been diagnosed with a genetic disorder that affects their eyesight, they should be evaluated by a pediatric ophthalmologist. An early diagnosis can help to address vision problems before they can cause more serious issues down the line.
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