Your Child's First Exam
There is no need to feel apprehensive about your child's first eye exam. Your child does not need to read to have his or her vision checked. The exam is completely painless except for a few seconds of stinging from the dilating eye drops. We take special care to assure that the visit is an enjoyable experience for him or her--from the games in the waiting area to the children's videos in our examination rooms. Our staff is specially trained to assist in the evaluation of vision problems in children.

Common Eye Problems in Children
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Distant objects are unclear in cases of myopia. This is usually detected in elementary school when there are problems seeing the chalk board.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
A small amount of hyperopia is normal in children. However, with more pronounced hyperopia, the eye is unable to see near objects without extreme focusing. This can lead to headaches and crossing of the eyes.

Astigmatism
Astigmatism is an irregularity in the shape of the cornea or the lens. This causes a blurred image at all distances. Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism can be inherited and are all treated with glasses or contact lenses.

Strabismus / Eye Muscle Surgery
Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes. The eyes may cross or drift up, or out. Strabismus may be present from birth or may develop later in life. Some types of strabismus can be controlled with glasses. Othe types may require eye muscle surgery. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and usually takes less than an hour to complete.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia, sometimes referred to as "lazy eye," is poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight during childhood. Without treatment, children with ambylopia will never see well in one eye, even with glasses. Patching treatment is effective when used prior to age seven.

Astigmatism
Astigmatism is an irregularity in the shape of the cornea. Instead of being shaped round, the cornea is shaped oval, causing a blurred image at all distances. Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism can be inherited and are all treated with glasses or contact lenses. LASIK can be considered for those 18 or older with a stable prescription.

Tear Duct Obstruction
A small tube drains tears from the eye into the nose. When the tube is incompletely formed at birth, excessive tearing and crusting of the eyelids can occur. Massage of the tear duct usually resolves this problem. Surgery can be performed in those who do not respond to massage.

This article was written by Dr. Scott Silverman, our fellowship-trained Pediatric Ophthalmologist.
Dr. Silverman is available at our locations in Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida. He specializes in children's eye care, strabismus, amblyopia (lazy eye), double vision, and eye muscle surgery in children and adults.