Pediatric Ophthalmology

The following eye specialists may be part of your child's team. 

Pediatric Ophthalmologists
These specialists are fellowship-trained in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, and the medical and surgical management of childhood eye conditions, including amblyopia and strabismus; blocked tear ducts and childhood eyelid problems; glaucoma; cataracts; and prematurity-related eye problems, among other rare conditions. They perform surgery and manage complex eye muscle problems.

Pediatric Optometrists
These optometrists have completed additional training in pediatric eye care. They perform regular eye exams using the latest diagnostic equipment to assess your child’s vision and eye health; screen for myopia and astigmatism; identify serious childhood eye problems if they are present; and prescribe eyeglasses as needed. They also apply the latest techniques to help families manage progressive myopia in children, and use medication and special contact lenses as appropriate.

Orthoptists
An orthoptist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders related to eye movements, binocular vision, and visual function. 

Pediatric Neuro-ophthalmologists
These are experts in pediatric eye conditions that relate to or result from neurologic problems.

Cornea Specialists
These specialists have expertise in managing vision-threatening corneal conditions in children.

Inherited Retinal Disease and Vitreoretinal Specialists
These experts treat children with complex retinal and optic nerve diseases that affect vision.

Oculoplastic Surgeons
They perform surgery on the face, eyes, tear system, and facial structures surrounding the eye to improve your child’s appearance following cancer, trauma, or congenital defects or to resolve a less serious issue such as a blocked tear duct system.

Child-Friendly Center
Children are often anxious or impatient while waiting to see the doctor. Our child-friendly waiting room and clinical spaces have flat-screen televisions (with child-appropriate content) and space to move around. The environment is designed to reduce stress for the whole family.

Routine Eye Exams
Our pediatric optometrists specialize in assessing vision development and correcting vision problems in children. We check the health of your child’s eyes, screen for a full range of eye conditions, measure how well they see, and determine if they need glasses or contact lenses.

Specialty Contact Lenses
Pediatric specialty contact lenses can help improve vision, promote visual development, and improve the quality of life for children with certain eye conditions. 

Our pediatric optometrists have advanced training in determining the best type of specialty contact lens for your child. They will undergo a specialty contact lens fitting, and our technicians will teach your child – and you -- how to insert, remove, and care for the lenses.

Coordinated Care for Maximum Convenience
Our pediatric ophthalmologists, optometrists, and orthoptists (specialists in vision and eye movement problems) work closely with other Duke pediatric specialists to manage your child’s eye care. If your child requires multiple visits for different eye disorders, we make every effort to coordinate their care and maximize your convenience.

Supportive Environment
We offer patient support services, including educational materials and programs and a vision rehabilitation program. Our social worker can help your family cope with and manage non-medical challenges related to your child’s condition.

Nationally Renowned Specialized Services
People come from great distances to see our pediatric experts. Our children’s retina and optic nerve program is among just a handful of similar programs in the U.S.

Training and Experience Caring for Children
Our skilled surgeons work closely with pediatric anesthesiologists who have specialized training and experience caring for children during surgery. We are fully equipped to treat complex eye problems, including strabismus (eye muscle problems); eyelid, corneal, optic nerve, and retinal diseases; cataracts; and glaucoma in children.

Latest Retinal Imaging Devices
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers 3D views of the eye’s internal structures. Our researchers are pioneering new uses for OCT, including ways to better understand -- and hopefully to prevent -- blindness in premature babies with retinopathy of prematurity. Our OCT work allows us to more accurately diagnose other childhood retinal and optic nerve conditions and to recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Access to New Therapies
Your child may be eligible to participate in clinical trials to test new therapies for childhood eye disorders such as amblyopia and strabismus, cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity, and glaucoma. Our research, education, and technology development programs enable our doctors to offer you access to the latest breakthroughs in eye care.