First Exam at the Pediatric Ophthalmologist

First Visit To A Pediatric Ophthalmologist

What you need to know about their first visit to a Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Before the examination, you will be asked to complete a 2 page questionnaire where you will share what concerns you have about your child’s eyes as well as detailing all of your child’s medical problems, past surgical procedures, medications, and allergies. Dr. Burke will thoroughly review this information with you specifically addressing facts that may impact the child’s eye problem.

Parents are requested to stay with their child throughout the entire examination. Infants and small children are examined while sitting on the parent’s lap while older children are encouraged to sit in the exam chair by themselves.

The examination consists of a vision evaluation (visual fixation ability, age-appropriate and easily recognizable pictures, or alphabet letters), check eye movements and eye muscle alignment, perform an external and microscopic examination of the eye and eyelids, determination of the focusing powers of the eye (refraction), and the evaluation of the inside the eye (retina and optic nerve). When necessary, eyedrops are used to help verify the refraction as well as dilating the pupil allowing an easier view of the structures inside the eye. There is no discomfort from the many instruments and lights that are used during an eye doctor’s evaluation. The only part of the eye examination that may be uncomfortable is the brief stinging the eyedrops cause.

When the examination has been completed, Dr. Burke will discuss his findings and recommendations. All your questions will be thoroughly answered.

Click the following links for additional information.
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/child-eye-exam
https://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3B111/4/902