Pediatric ophthalmology is the medical subspecialty that encompasses all aspects of vision and ocular conditions in babies, children, and teenagers. Fort Worth Eye Associates is a dedicated, friendly, and technologically advanced center for the treatment of both adults and children.
Fort Worth Eye Associates Pediatric Ophthalmology
With years of extensive experience in pediatric ophthalmology, Dr. Ann Ranelle provides an excellent standard of pediatric eye care while ensuring the comfort and happiness of her young patients. Working in concert with Dr. Ann Ranelle is Dr. Kacy Pate, Fort Worth Eye Associate’s staff optometrist. Dr. Ranelle and Dr. Pate coordinate patient eye care using the highest standard of care and the most technologically advanced treatment available-never compromising quality or compassion for our youngest patients.
What is Pediatric Eye Care?
Pediatric eye care is an essential part of preventive health care for children. Early identification of vision problems is crucial because children often respond more favorably to treatment in the early stages of vision development. Parents are encouraged to schedule comprehensive eye exams at 6 months old, 3 years old, upon entering kindergarten, and annually every year throughout their school years.
Today, parents face challenges in protecting their children’s eye health due to the abundance of environmental stressors – the most common of which include television, video games, computers, and tablet/smartphone use. In addition to annual exams, pediatric vision care involves introducing healthy habits that help children preserve healthy eyes throughout their lives. Parents have the ability to set limits on technology-based activities by promoting outdoor activities that stimulate physical development and ensure long-term vision health.
What is a Pediatric Eye Exam?
A comprehensive pediatric ophthalmic exam involves a series of non-invasive vision tests, comprehensive ocular evaluations, and eye health assessments. Initial exams for infants younger than 12 months old typically involve physical evaluations such as an eye movement test or a light reaction test. As children get older and cognitive skills to become more developed, the ophthalmologist will introduce more in-depth testing that uses the child’s input to determine eye health. Some of these programs use charts with symbols – like an apple or house – to evaluate the child’s eyesight.
Pediatric vision exams begin with a comprehensive review of family and personal vision history – parents are encouraged to share as much information as possible to help form an accurate portrait of the patient’s risk factors. Visual acuity is also measured and an ocular examination is performed to identify possible refractive errors, childhood glaucoma, and various other conditions. Common vision and eye treatments that a pediatric eye specialist can provide are:
Pediatric Eye Disease Medical Treatment
Pediatric eye specialists diagnose, treat and manage all manner of eye problems experienced by children. Common vision and medical eye treatments provided by the pediatric eye specialists at Fort Worth Eye Associates include:
Vision Screening Recommendations: Prescriptions for eyeglasses and/or contact lenses- Lazy Eye (Amblyopia) Therapy: Includes glasses, patching and pharmacologic treatment
- Glaucoma (Congenital Glaucoma) Treatment
- Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): Retinal examination and laser treatment
- Corneal Abrasion: Scratch on the surface of the cornea
Topical (Eye Drops) and/or Systemic (Oral) Therapy
Eye drops and oral medications are used to treat the following eye inflammation and eye infections:
- Pinkeye (Bacterial or Viral Conjunctivitis)
- Ocular Allergies (Allergic Conjunctivitis
- Eyelid Inflammation (Blepharitis)
- Eyelid Cysts (Chalazion)
- Tearing from Blocked Tear Ducts (Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction)
Pediatric Eye Disease Surgical Treatment
Surgical procedures performed by pediatric ophthalmologists from Fort Worth Eye Associates:
- Strabismus Surgery: Eye muscle surgery to correct misaligned eyes or squint, that is eyes that look in a different direction such as crossed eyes or wall eyes
- Blocked Tear Duct Surgery (Dacryocystorhinostomy – DCR): Outpatient procedure performed to address blocked tear ducts in children
- Pediatric Cataracts (Cataract is either Congenital/Infantile and Acquired/Juvenile)
- Glaucoma Cataract Extraction: Pediatric cataract extraction and replacement with intraocular lenses (IOLs)
- Droopy Eyelids (Congenital Ptosis) Sugery
- Chalazion (Eyelid Cysts) Excision: Excision of chalazion (eyelid cyst) and stye (eyelid margin cyst)
If you would like to learn more about eye care for children by our pediatric eye specialists, please call our Fort Worth office at 817-732-5593
For children’s eyeglasses and contact lenses, prescriptions visit our full-service optical shop, Camp Bowie Optique (817-732-9307), which is conveniently located in the Fort Worth office building of Fort Worth Eye Associates.