Cataract patients now have an option to see at both near and far distances after cataract surgery! Individuals suffering from cataracts previously had only a mono-focal lens implant option after surgery. NEW multi-focal, accommodating and astigmatic correction IOL technology can now decrease dependence on glasses after surgery. These include the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL, Crystalens® and the AcrySof® Toric IOL. If you are seeking one of these options, please feel free to consult our staff.
We are proud to provide excellence in pediatric eye care services with recognized leaders in Pediatric Ophthalmology. Dr. Gold, Dr. Blumenfeld and Dr. Ikeda also treat adult eye muscle disorders. If you are seeking child vision care in Florida, please make sure to contact us. Our practice has placed a unique emphasis on this type of eye care. Our pediatric eye care services in Florida include crossed eye correction, blocked tear ducts, lazy eye or amblyopia, retinopathy and children's eye exams.
Children’s Vision
What Every Parent Should Know
About 80 percent of learning in a child’s first 12 years comes through the eyes. Good vision is critical not only to their ability to read, learn and develop, but can also impact personality, behavior, social skills and self-esteem.
Ophthalmologists have long recognized that children’s eyes are unique and quite different from adult eyes. In fact, the problems that children encounter with their eyes and vision are so unique that the separate sub-specialty of pediatric ophthalmology evolved for their care. Pediatric ophthalmologists receive advanced training to care for these special needs.
A Newborn’s Sight
Children can see upon birth, but their vision is poorly developed. It improves rapidly during the first year and continues to get better even after that time. A child’s visual system has great ability to change during the first several years of life, but this ability is gradually lost as a child ages.
Development of the Eyes
During the formative years of birth to at least age eight, it is important that nothing interferes with a child’s ability to see. Interference in visual development can cause a permanent impairment called amblyopia which is often referred to as a “lazy eye.” Typical causes of amblyopia include the eyes not being straight, an unequal need for glasses in each eye, a droopy eyelid, cataracts and sometimes even a very strong unmet need for glasses in both eyes. The child may compensate for these problems by seeing out of only one eye, or only one eye may focus clearly. Either way, the visual system does not develop properly.
When to Have an Eye Examination
A child’s eyes can be examined at any age, even as young as one day old if necessary. Common reasons to see a pediatric ophthalmologist include:
- A parent, physician or other adult notices a problem in the eye’s appearance, the structures around it or misalignment of the eyes.
- The child fails vision testing at the doctor’s office or school.
- The child complains of poor vision or other eye symptoms, squints or appears to have difficulty seeing.
- There is a family history of childhood eye diseases.
- The child has another medical problem or is on a medication that is associated with eye problems.
Looking for Vision Problems in Our Youngest Patients/Checking for Glasses Before a Child Can Speak
Pediatric ophthalmologists use a special type of a flashlight called a retinoscope to check children’s eye focusing power. It has a dim shaped light that is moved in front of the child’s eye. The doctor views the light’s reflection through the child’s pupil and can hold lenses for nearsightedness and farsightedness in front of the eye until the reflection has the proper appearance. This determines the need and type of glasses required without any response from the child.
