Your Pediatric Ophthalmologist
The Pediatric Ophthalmology team at North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat provides eye exams as well as medical, surgical, and optical treatment for children’s eye infections and eye conditions. Whether referred by your primary care, a children's hospital following an emergency, or directly making an appointment for a routine checkup or with medical questions, we are ready to provide you with outstanding care.
We are happy to answer medical questions and also provide a full range of treatments and examinations to determine the underlying cause of your child's eye concerns.
Some common conditions are:
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia is reduced vision from lack of use in an otherwise normal eye. It usually happens only in one eye. Amblyopia occurs when the nerve pathway from one eye to the brain does not develop during childhood. This occurs because the abnormal eye sends a blurred image or the wrong image to the brain.
Strabismus
With Strabismus (crossed eyes), the eyes are not aligned. One eye may gaze straight ahead while the other eye turns inward, upward, downward, or outward.
What to Expect: The First Visit
At North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat we provide a child-friendly environment for medical care for both the waiting room and the examination itself.
The Preparation: Before The Initial Exam
Please allow at least two hours for the initial complete exam. This includes time waiting for the eye dilation drops to work (usually 30-45 minutes). The eye drops used are designed for children/infants and will be uncomfortable for about a minute. As the drops begin to work, your child will have trouble seeing things up close for a few hours.
The effects of the drops wear off in a few hours; however, the pupils may remain large and sometimes unequal for a few days. There is no need to warn the child ahead of time about the drops since the anticipation may be worse than the drops themselves and will not negatively affect them long term.
Tests, Exams, and Processes: During Examination
Your child’s vision will be carefully checked. Attention will be directed to the eye problem, eye injuries, or eye conditions; however, a complete exam is usually performed to identify any previously unrecognized vision problems or other physical eye problems from the surface of the eye to the eyelid and even inspecting for a blocked tear duct. This includes testing the eye muscle balance and stereopsis/depth perception, color vision testing in boys, examination of the outer and inner eye structures and a check for glasses or contact lenses.
Young children must have dilating drops placed in their eyes prior to an accurate prescription for glasses. The prescription for glasses in young children is based on neutralizing a reflex off the back of the child’s eye using different lenses and does not require any response from the child. This test is called retinoscopy and an experienced retinoscoper will get very precise measurements of your child’s eyes. Glasses are prescribed when indicated during the eye exam.
Important Insurance Information
Note: Your child’s pediatrician likely referred your child for a medical eye evaluation; therefore this exam will most likely be billed under your medical insurance, not your “vision plan.” Many insurance companies do not allow us to examine your child without a proper referral, so make sure you have the appropriate medical referral or authorization ahead of time.
Your Network of Medical Doctors: Our Communication With Your Child's Pediatrician
We want your child to have the best comprehensive eye care among their doctors; therefore, we will keep your pediatrician and/or family doctor informed as to your child’s condition by sending them a report of their eye examination.
Contact The Professionals at NC Eye, Ear, Nose, And Throat
Our Pediatric Ophthalmology team at North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat looks forward to providing high quality eye care in a caring environment for you and your child at their first comprehensive eye exam!
