Pediatric Eye Care
Pediatric Ophthalmology Services at SightMD
At SightMD, we provide comprehensive pediatric eye care services designed to support your child’s vision from infancy through adolescence.
Our pediatric ophthalmologists focus on early detection, prevention, and long-term visual development—helping children build the strong visual foundation they need for learning, growth, and everyday life. With advanced diagnostics and a family-centered approach, we make eye care simple, thorough, and reassuring for parents and children alike.
What is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist?
A pediatric ophthalmologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in childhood vision development and complex eye conditions affecting infants, children, and adolescents. After completing medical school and ophthalmology residency, pediatric ophthalmologists undergo additional fellowship training focused specifically on pediatric eye care, eye alignment disorders, and complex eye conditions.
At SightMD, our pediatric ophthalmologists are uniquely equipped to care for preschool-aged children, children with developmental delays, and patients on the autism spectrum. When needed, they provide both medical and surgical care, as well as non-surgical management using glasses or medications—ensuring continuity of care as your child grows.
Kid’s Eye Exams at SightMD
Early eye exams play a critical role in a child’s development, academic performance, and overall well-being. SightMD pediatric eye exams are designed to assess not only how clearly your child sees, but how effectively their eyes work together.
During an exam, our doctors screen for common childhood conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes), and refractive errors including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Identifying vision issues early allows for timely treatment—often before problems interfere with learning or daily activities. Our child-friendly approach helps create a calm, positive experience for kids of all ages.
What To Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam
Many basic skills related to good eyesight will shape how your child learns. During child eye exams, we will test these skills, including hand-eye and binocular (using both eyes) coordination, near and distance vision, focusing and eye movement skills, and peripheral awareness.
During an exam, random dot stereopsis, a test using patterns of dots and 3-D glasses, can be used to test how your child’s eyes function in tandem. Retinoscopy may be performed to assess the health of the retina. Instead of using regular eye charts, your child may be asked to identify objects called LEA Symbols®, like an apple or circle, to test their vision. Eye dilation may also be used during pediatric eye exams.
We strongly recommend infants undergo a comprehensive eye exam at six months of age. Additional check-ups should be performed at age three and immediately before entering kindergarten. If no vision correction is needed, exams every two years after are sufficient.
What Are Common Pediatric Eye Conditions?
SightMD ophthalmologists expertly train to diagnose, monitor, and treat the complete range of pediatric eye conditions. We work with specialists to ensure your child gets the best and latest treatments.
Strabismus
Strabismus is a condition that causes the eyes to be misaligned, referred to as “cross-eyes”. There are multiple types of strabismus, and therapy or surgery can help fix this issue. When left untreated as a child, strabismus is much harder to correct as an adult.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) is a condition that causes visual impairment in children and is one of the most common childhood eye problems in the world. It is a result of weak or underdeveloped eye muscles. Strabismus can also cause amblyopia. Therapy can fix the issue. Amblyopia therapy aims to strengthen the weaker eye by using it more. Patching the stronger eye forces the weaker eye to make up for its absence.
Diplopia
Diplopia, also known as double vision, can be caused by several underlying medical conditions, and should be treated quickly. Double vision can severely impact a child’s learning ability. It can be hard to tell if your child is experiencing double vision, especially if they are too young to articulate it. Pediatric eye examinations should detect this problem.
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Retinopathy of prematurity is a condition that affects premature infants. When a baby is born prematurely, their retinal blood vessels may weaken and become fragile. This causes the blood vessels to leak and break easily – causing blood and fluid to enter the eye cavity. This can cause blind spots in vision and lead to scarring, which can affect vision later in life.
Blocked Tear Ducts
Blocked tear ducts are a common condition in infants and young children that cause excessive tearing, discharge, or eye irritation. This condition occurs when the tear drainage system does not fully open or function properly. While some cases resolve on their own, persistent blockage may require medical treatment. Early evaluation helps prevent infection and supports healthy eye development.
How Can I Protect My Child’s Eyes and Vision?
Vision problems can have a significant impact on your child. As much as 80% of what your child learns at school is presented visually. If your child has difficulty seeing the teacher at the front of the room or cannot fully participate in a soccer game during gym class, a host of problems can result.
Eyeglasses are a simple solution that can address most vision problems, while in some cases, contact lenses may be the right choice for young children. Maturity and responsibility play a larger role than age alone in determining when your child is ready for contacts. During a thorough consultation, our doctors can determine what solution will best meet your child’s needs.
If a refractive error is found, your child should visit an eye doctor once a year to make certain that his or her prescription is up to date. Clear vision can help your child grow and learn and it is important to establish regular exams to ensure that your child experiences the best possible vision
Schedule a Pediatric Eye Exam at SightMD
Eye examinations are the foundation of your child’s visual health and set the tone for your child’s future eye health. Without them, early childhood eye issues cannot be diagnosed and treated. These childhood issues can lead to bigger problems down the road if left untreated. Pediatric eye exams can help avoid that!
Contact SightMD today to schedule an appointment and support your child’s eye health at one of our convenient locations.