Pediatric Ophthalmology

Our experienced team of optometrists and pediatric ophthalmologists specializes in prescribing glasses for children, considering unique principles for different conditions like strabismus, cerebral visual impairment, low vision, Down’s syndrome, and nystagmus. Myopia, the most common refractive error, can progress and lead to serious complications. We offer various solutions, including eye drops, special spectacles, and contact lenses, to prevent myopia progression and safeguard vision in children.

We offer effective amblyopia management through patch therapy, atropine penalization, and binocular dichoptic exercises for children and young adults in need. Early intervention can lead to successful treatment and improved vision.

Requires prompt surgical intervention to prevent lazy eye. It is often present from birth and associated with nystagmus, Postoperative rehabilitation and long-term follow-up are crucial for successful outcomes in children. Eye power changes in growing eyes, necessitating frequent glasses adjustments and additional management for amblyopia and squint. Our skilled pediatric ophthalmologists excel in holistic care, performing cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation and providing optimal post-operative support for excellent results at our centre.

Early treatment is crucial to prevent vision loss and maintain 3-D vision in children. There are various forms of strabismus like esotropia, exotropia, hypotropia, or hypertropia. Treatment includes refraction, eye muscle exercises, injections, and eye muscle surgery. Our strabismus experts at SCEH manage both simple and complex cases with the best available strategies.

It may occur with or without strabismus. It can be a sign of underlying serious conditions and poor vision. Nystagmus can lead to an abnormal head posture, affecting a child’s education and overall development. Our nystagmus experts at SCEH do a comprehensive ophthalmological check-up, perform tests and offer various medical and surgical options to reduce nystagmus and correct abnormal head posture with the best available strategies.

Binocular vision dysfunction, like convergence insufficiency, accommodative insufficiency, and more, can cause discomfort, headaches, and double vision. These conditions are often treatable with lifestyle changes and eye muscle exercises. Our binocular vision therapy clinic, with experienced orthoptists, has been successfully managing such patients for over 20 years.

The eyes serve as windows to the brain, but some babies may experience brain stress during birth, affecting their ability to perceive images despite having normal eyes. This condition, known as Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), can impact other senses and motor abilities. Supportive treatment, including glasses, management of strabismus, and rehabilitative exercises, is crucial for these children. At SCEH, our specialized CVI and Vision Rehabilitation Clinic (VRC) offer personalized care to enhance visual performance and improve the quality of life for these children.

It can be present since birth (primary congenital glaucoma) or develop later in life, often associated with other ocular disorders (secondary congenital glaucoma). Glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss if untreated. At SCEH, our pediatric glaucoma specialists offer the best possible treatments, including eye drops or surgery, to manage this blinding disorder effectively.

Retinoblastoma is the primary eye cancer posing a threat to vision and life. Early intervention is crucial, involving systemic chemotherapy, plaque radiotherapy, intra-arterial chemotherapy, cryotherapy, and occasional surgery. Long-term follow-up and cosmetic rehabilitation are integral to treatment. With over 20 years of experience, our expert team of ocular oncologists leads the treatment. Our services are supported by the Ocular Pathology and Ocular Genetics departments.

ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) arises due to the premature newborn’s immature retina. This blinding disorder is entirely preventable through timely screening and treatment. Laser, intraocular injections, or surgery (in rare cases) are the treatment options. SCEH collaborates with several NICUs in Delhi to screen all preterm babies and detect ROP as early as possible. Any child born before 34 weeks of life requires one retinal evaluation before 30 days of life to prevent vision loss.

Congenital or acquired corneal diseases can cause scarring and vision loss. Treatment involves corneal grafting (from eye donations) by expert cornea surgeons. SCEH performs the highest number of cornea transplants per year in North India, restoring vision and improving lives.

Watering and discharge from one or both eyes in newborns is often caused by a blockage in the nasolacrimal duct. Early management with eye drops and sac massage is effective in the first year of life. If the problem persists beyond that age, surgery may be necessary. Our team of expert pediatric ophthalmologists, ENT specialists, and oculoplastic surgeons collaborate to provide advanced care for these children.

Ptosis (drooping of eyelids), blepharophimosis (small eye openings), lid coloboma (defect), contracted sockets etc are treated surgically by our oculoplasty experts at SCEH.

Several diseases of the eye are a result of defects in the genetic makeup of the child. Such disorders often present since birth and affect vision. Some of these disorders are leber’s congenital amaurosis, rod cone dystrophy, cone-rod dystrophy, achromatopsia, hereditary optic atrophies, albinism, aniridia, microphthalmos, anophthalmos, coloboma, primary congenital glaucoma, pediatric cataract, retinoblastoma, keratoconus, and corneal dystrophies. Some disorders have no definitive treatment, and supportive care is necessary. Family members may also be at risk of being affected. There is ongoing research in finding cure for these disorders worldwide. At SCEH we specialise in genetic counselling, testing and supportive care for ocular genetic disorders.

When medical and surgical treatment is not possible for a particular eye disease, vision can still be enhanced using low vision aids, assistive devices and targeted vocational guidance. At our vision enhancement clinic, we help children with low vision attain their full visual potential using these modalities. We provide assistance in disability certificate acquisition and special school education.

Through our community outreach programs we reach out to children who cannot reach us. Various school health screening and community screening (door-to-door) programs help us to provide services to even the poorest sections of the society. These programs run in Delhi and around our secondary centers in Mohammadi, Meerut, Vrindavan, Alwar and Shahranpur.