Conditions we treat
The doctors at Virginia Pediatric Eye Center diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions. Below are a few of the problems we frequently manage.
Amblyopia
Sometimes called "lazy eye," this is a condition that occurs in children when one eye has poorer vision than the other. Amblyopia can have serious, permanent effects on a child's vision. There are various options for treating amblyopia, and the best management approach depends on the details of an individual child's exam findings. Our doctors have extensive experience in successful management of the condition.
Chronic Tearing
Normally tears drain through tiny openings in the eyelids called “puncta." Sometimes the puncta can get blocked which results in tears flowing down the cheek instead of through the normal drainage system. Our pediatric eye doctors can check for and usually fix blockages and other causes of chronic tearing.
Computer Vision Syndrome
Computer vision syndrome is a constellation of symptoms which can occur during prolonged computer use, including eyestrain, dry eyes, and headaches.
Pediatric Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the clear lens inside the eye, similar to a lens in a pair of glasses, becomes cloudy and difficult for light to traverse through. Children may be born with cataracts or can develop cataracts as a result of trauma or other eye problems. If not treated quickly enough, pediatric cataracts can cause permanent vision loss.
Pediatric Glaucoma
This occurs when the pressure inside a child'e eye (intraocular pressure) becomes too high and damages the internal structures of the eye. Untreated glaucoma can result in blindness. Both medication and surgical treatments can help lower intraocular pressure.
Refractive Conditions
Refractive conditions occur when the optics of the eye do not focus a crisp image on the retina. Glasses or contact lenses can often be used to improve vision by bringing the image on the retina into focus. Near sightedness (myopia) and far sightedness (hyperopia) are examples of very common refractive conditions.
Strabismus
Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes. Sometimes referred to as "lazy eye" or "crossed eyes", strabismus is characterized by the two eyes not moving together correctly or not looking at the same spot. Double vision can be a symptom of strabismus.