Paediatric Ophthalmology in Birmingham

Common Eye Problems In Children We Can Help Diagnose And Treat

At Midland Health, we can identify a range of eye problems, including suitable treatments for any of the following: 

• Amblyopia: Also referred to as a lazy eye, amblyopia results in reduced vision in one/both eyes. The common causes include squints and refractive (focusing) errors. Amblyopia is reversible if detected and treated early.
• Refractive Errors: This is one of the most common eye problems in children. Children can be normal-sighted, long-sighted (hypermetropic, needing plus lenses) or short-sighted (myopic, corrected with minus lenses). Another focusing error is astigmatism where the cornea is shaped like a rugby ball, rather than like a football, causing light to focus at more than one place in the eye. Refractive errors can result in blurred vision, headaches and eye strain, or even a squint. They can make it difficult for children to concentrate on the information presented on computers and whiteboards. 
• Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Epiphora refers to an overflow of tears from the eyes due to the blockage of the tear ducts. Watery eyes can develop later in childhood or present themselves from birth. Mild cases respond to conservative measures such as tear duct massage and may resolve by 1 year of age. Persistent cases can benefit from a tear-duct probing procedure.
• Droopy Eyelids (Ptosis): Ptosis in childhood is usually due to a poorly developed (weak) levator muscle (that elevates the eyelid and opens the eye). It may affect one or both sides.  Childhood ptosis can interfere with visual development and result in amblyopia and squints. Such cases can be treated with surgery. Our paediatric ophthalmology specialists can diagnose, monitor and discuss treatments with you during your appointment.
• Squints (Strabismus): Any misalignment of the eyes is referred to as a squint.  The eyes may turn inward (convergent), outward (divergent) or maybe vertically misaligned. Squints can affect the vision in the affected eye, as well as damage binocular (3D) vision. Some of these changes may become permanent if left untreated. Midland Health’s eye care specialists may be able to treat strabismus with glasses and/or squint surgery.
• Paediatric Cataract: Paediatric cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, resulting in blurred vision. Paediatric cataracts are rare, affecting 3 to 4 in every 10,000 babies born in the UK. Cataracts can slow down the visual development of your child. Timely detection and treatment are important. 
• Paediatric Glaucoma: If the drainage channel within the eye gets blocked or has not formed properly, liquid cannot flow out of the eye, putting pressure on the inside of the eye. As a result, your child’s vision may be blurred or poor. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. Our experienced paediatric ophthalmology consultant can help your child with all eye care concerns. If your child is experiencing problems with their eyes, arrange an appointment as soon as possible. With access to state-of-the-art tests and equipment, we are ideally placed to diagnose and treat your child’s vision problems.

Common Indications Of  Eye Problems In Children

We understand that eye problems in children are not always obvious. That being said, it’s important to detect issues early to prevent them from affecting the development of your child’s vision. Common symptoms of eye problems in children include:

• Eye rubbing: In some cases, frequent rubbing of the eyes can indicate a potential refractive error.
• Excessive/Frequent blinking: Excess blinking is often the result of irritation from allergic eye disease, though it may also indicate a refractive error.
• Spot(s) on the white of the eye: Bright red, grey or brown spots may indicate a potential injury, allergic eye disease, or another eye disorder.
• Discharge: An ophthalmologist can help diagnose viral or bacterial infections, allergic eye disease or a blocked tear duct.
• Head tilting: If your child struggles to see clearly, they may frequently tilt their head or cover one eye to get clarity.
• Holding objects very close: If your child sits too close to the television or holds objects very close to their face, this may indicate a potential vision problem.
• Unequal pupils: While children’s pupils generally appear larger compared to those of adults, if one pupil looks consistently larger than the other or your child’s pupils do not respond to light, it’s advisable to see an ophthalmologist for an immediate evaluation.
• Droopy eyelids: can be due to ptosis and needs specialist evaluation.
• Misalignment of the eyes: Any noticeable misalignment of the eyes, whether intermittent or constant is a squint, and should be assessed by a specialist paediatric ophthalmologist.

What Can You Expect From Your Child’s Eye Exam?

Paediatric ophthalmology consultations at Midland Health will be carried out by our qualified and experienced Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon. As the needs and health of children differ, eye tests may vary. Generally speaking, your child’s eye exam may consist of:

• The red reflex test 
• Pupil reflex test
• Age-appropriate vision assessment 
• Detailed squint assessment
• Refraction test
• Colour vision test
• Retinal examination

We understand that an eye exam can be quite overwhelming for both children and parents, but there is no need to worry about eye exams hurting your child. Our experience consultant will take a caring approach to ensure that your child is comfortable throughout the exam.

Adult Ophthalmology Appointments

Our consultant is also widely experienced in diagnosing and treating adult squints, double vision and neuro-ophthalmologic conditions. If, like your child,  you have any concerns about your eyes, do not hesitate to get in touch. We will be able to carry out an examination to help determine what is causing your worries.

Why Choose Midland Health

If you have any concerns about your child’s eye health, it is best to book an appointment with an experienced paediatric ophthalmologist as soon as possible. At Midland Health, we strive to make eye exams more accessible for families. There are no lengthy waiting lists, allowing you to see a qualified ophthalmologist in a matter of days. With Midland Health, your child can receive a professional diagnosis and treatment a lot quicker. That is why our paediatric ophthalmology clinic provides:

• Appointments with ophthalmology specialists within days
• Consultations with expert ophthalmologists
• No waiting lists
• Outstanding medical facilities complete with state-of-the-art technology
• No need for GP referrals
• Exceptional patient care

Visit Our Paediatric Ophthalmology Clinic In Birmingham

If you or your child are experiencing issues with vision, the Midland Health Birmingham clinic can help. Our specialists are experienced in paediatric ophthalmology and can provide a range of treatments to help improve your child's vision. The clinic is located on Francis Road in Edgbaston, just outside Birmingham city centre, and is easily accessible by car or public transport.