Pediatric Ophthalmology

The pediatric ophthalmology program provides specialized care for children with vision challenges or diseases of the eye. Our comprehensive approach includes expert evaluation and diagnosis, medical treatment, and surgical interventions for a wide range of pediatric eye disorders. We also care for adults with double vision or misalignment of the eyes.

Advanced eye care

We offer state-of-the-art diagnostics and advanced medical and surgical eye care. As part of the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group, our team collaborates with more than 100 institutions around North America on clinical research to study eye diseases and improve care options.

Multidisciplinary team

Our specialized team includes medical eye doctors and surgeons (ophthalmologists) and other professionals who support them (certified ophthalmic technicians), primary eye care and vision specialists (optometrists), eye movement and binocular vision specialists (orthoptists), corrective lens specialists (opticians), and medical social workers who all work together to provide complete care for children with vision or eye health concerns.

Personalized approach

Our experts are highly trained to work with kids of all ages and strive to create a positive, fun, and kid-friendly experience appropriate for your child’s developmental level. We also provide Child and Family Life consults for children and families who may benefit from these services.

We treat a wide range of conditions that affect your child’s vision or the health of their eyes and surrounding structures (including eyelids and eye sockets). Examples include:

Amblyopia (lazy eye)

Amblyopia, often called “lazy eye,” means one eye (or sometimes both) sees less clearly than it should. This happens when the eye needs glasses, has a cataract or a blockage, or if the eyes are misaligned (strabismus). If not treated early, amblyopia can lead to permanent vision loss in the weaker eye.

Blocked tear duct (nasolacrimal duct obstruction)

Blocked tear ducts prevent water from draining from the eyes. They can cause watery eyes, blurry vision, crusty buildup on eyelids and lashes, and increased risk of infection. They are very common in infants.

Cataracts

A cataract can be present at birth or occur during childhood, resulting in a whitish "clouding" in the lens of the eye, which can cause distorted, blurry, or hazy vision.

Eye infections

Bacteria, viruses, and other germs can cause redness, irritation, and other symptoms in the eyes and eyelids. This is known as conjunctivitis (pink eye), which results in swelling blood vessels in the whites of the eyes.

Eye injury (ocular trauma)

Any direct trauma to the eye, such as scratches, punctures, or chemical exposure.

Genetic eye disease

Eye problems children are born with due to changes in their genes can affect how their eyes develop and function. These inherited conditions may cause vision difficulties ranging from mild impairments to significant vision loss.

Glaucoma

Fluid buildup in the eye can put pressure on the optic nerve, damaging it over time. Early warning signs in children may include excessive tear production (even when not crying), cloudy-looking eyes, and extreme light sensitivity.

Nystagmus

Rapid, uncontrollable eye movements — such as rolling, up and down, side-to-side, or even jerking motions. This can be present in early infancy or develop over time.

Papilledema

Swelling and increased pressure at the back of the eye, where the optic nerve connects to the brain. Symptoms are not always noticeable, but can include brief (5-15 seconds) episodes of blurry or darkened vision, double vision, headaches, and nausea.

Ptosis (droopy eyelid)

The upper eyelid droops over the eye, usually due to problems with the muscles or nerves that control eyelid movement.

Retinopathy of prematurity

Premature babies (especially those born at 31 weeks or earlier) may not have fully developed blood vessels in the retinas, located at the back of the eyes. In most cases they will continue to develop normally after birth, but if they do not, treatment may be required to prevent vision loss.

Strabismus (eye misalignment)

Muscle or nerve issues cause the eyes to point in different directions, either all the time or occasionally (for example, during moments of fatigue or illness). Vision may fail to develop in one eye (amblyopia) if strabismus develops in early childhood and goes untreated. Our pediatric ophthalmologists treat strabismus in both kids and adults.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Specialized care for children dealing with vision problems (such as blurry or double vision, light sensitivity, or eye movement difficulties) after a concussion or other TBI.

Uveitis

Swelling inside the eye. It can happen after an injury or in children who have autoimmune conditions, like arthritis. Some children need regular checkups to watch for this problem and prevent complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, or vision loss.

Vision impairment

Specialized care and support for children with vision loss or impairment that interferes with daily life and can’t be corrected with standard treatments like prescription lenses or surgery.

Our pediatric ophthalmology team offers a comprehensive range of specialized eye care services, including:

Eye surgery

Surgical treatment for a wide variety of eye, eyelid, and tear duct disorders, including cataracts, eye injuries, glaucoma, lazy eye, ptosis, strabismus, and more.

Genetic and systemic disease care

Specialized care for children who have chronic or systemic conditions that affect eye health, such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders, or others.

Hospital consultations

Our pediatric ophthalmologists are here for children at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital 365 days a year.

Optical services

We provide comprehensive eye examinations for all children failing a routine vision screening or for children suspected of having an eye disorder. We work with you and your child to find the right glasses or contact lenses to fit their needs.

Retinopathy of prematurity management

Including regular screenings for premature babies at high risk of retinopathy of prematurity, treatment of NICU patients, and follow-up support (including telemedicine).

Vision testing

We provide vision testing for children of all ages, including routine eye exams and follow-up testing after a failed vision screening.