Eye care is an important part of your child's overall health. Whether you've noticed a particular problem with your child's vision or you've been referred by your pediatrician, there's a wide range of ophthalmologists available to meet your needs.
But how do you know who to contact for an appointment with a child? What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist? What about an orthopedic? In the Konovalov ophthalmological center - https://www.konovalov-eye-center.ru/info-for-patient/articles/astigmatizm_u_detei_lechenie/ they will tell you which doctor is better to contact, and experienced ophthalmologists will help solve problems with your child's vision. Here is some basic information to help you understand which eye doctors your child may see.
Choosing the right ophthalmologist for your child
While every ophthalmologist may offer the same elements of vision care (such as eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, and medications for non-surgical eye conditions), there are a few key differences.
Ophthalmologists are doctors and surgeons. They deal with the medical and surgical aspects of eye care. You will see an ophthalmologist when your child is diagnosed with an eye health problem. If necessary, ophthalmologists also perform surgical interventions. They have four years of medical school, followed by a three-year residency in ophthalmology, and typically one to two more years of specialty training.
Optometrists, on the other hand, are optometry doctors. They provide eye exams and routine eye care services. They can be seen as primary care physicians in the eye area. For patients with healthy eyes, they may prescribe glasses or corrective lenses. The optometrist may also prescribe eye drops and other medications to improve eye health. Optometrists have a four-year postgraduate and doctoral degree.
Orthopticians are ophthalmologists who address specific vision problems related to vision, eye alignment, and eye movement. Orthopticians work with ophthalmologists to evaluate patients and help develop treatment plans. Orthopticians have a bachelor's degree, a two-year fellowship in orthopedics, and must be certified by the American Orthoptic Council (AOC).
Where to start eye care?
If your child has eye problems such as strabismus, ptosis, or excessive tearing, they will be referred to an ophthalmologist. Otherwise, you will most likely see an optometrist first, who will evaluate your child's eyes. They will determine your child's needs and, if necessary, refer you to a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) ophthalmologist for additional care.
The optometrist will check things like visual acuity or clarity (mostly how well your child sees). They will also evaluate eye alignment and movement, color blindness, depth perception, peripheral (lateral) vision, and eye pressure. If necessary, the optometrist may prescribe glasses, topical medications such as eye drops and ointments, and some oral medications.
An eye exam consists of a comprehensive eye exam to look for potential eye conditions, a refraction test that evaluates your child's vision, and an assessment of visual function and eye health. Your child's eyes will be dilated on the first visit and may be dilated on subsequent visits at the discretion of the optometrist.
Then, depending on the result of the check, the optometrist can write a prescription for glasses, which the optometrist refills. Similarly, an optometrist can write a prescription for medications for non-surgical eye conditions if needed. If your child needs additional medical attention, the optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.
