How to Find a Pediatric Eye Doctor

Taking care of your child's health needs is a top priority for parents, and eye health ranks up there among the biggest concerns. Whether or not your family has a history of vision problems, you need to have your child's eyes examined by an eye doctor. Seek out a pediatric eye doctor who is specially trained to deal with children and their growing eyes.

Things You'll Need

• Pediatrician or family physician

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Instructions

Which doctors care for children's eyes?

• 1

  Have your child's eyes examined by age 5 --- earlier if you suspect there is a problem. Your child's pediatrician or your family physician often is the first line of defense against eye problems. Pediatricians and family physicians check infants' and children's eyes during physical exams. If they suspect a problem, they can refer your child to either an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

• 2

  Pick an eye doctor. There are two main types of eye doctors: Optometrists and ophthalmologists. Both examine patients, prescribe glasses and treat eye problems. The difference is that ophthalmologists are trained to do surgery and optometrists use vision therapy, lenses and prisms to improve vision.

• 3

  Find a pediatric eye doctor who specializes in optometry. Pediatric optometrists are a subspecialty of optometry. These eye doctors, often found in private practice, are trained to help children by examining their eyes, diagnosing problems, and treating and managing problems. They have four years of doctoral level study in optometry after four years of college, plus residency training in pediatric optometry.

• 4

  Seek a pediatric eye doctor who specializes in ophthalmology. Pediatric ophthalmologists treat such problems as strabismus, amblyopia, genetic and developmental abnormalities, along with inflammatory, traumatic and neoplastic conditions. Pediatric ophthalmology is a subspecialty, which means these doctors have four years of medical school and another year or two of training. They work in private practice and may be associated with hospitals.