Departments

Department of Strabismus & Paediatric Ophthalmology

Ophthalmological examination for children

Even though the method of approach is different from child to child, every new patient is examined both from the point of view of each eye’s acuity and from the point of you of the child's capability to use both eyes at the same time. So in each patient we check his or her capacity to see the optic movement, the cooperation of both eyes, the structural integrity of his or her eyes and his or her need for glasses.

To examine all the above the child might be asked to read cards, numbers or to play with us, depending on his or her age. During the examination, the eye's pupil might have to be dilated with eye drops, a procedure which requires approximately 40 minutes. When the dilation is achieved, then the eye's fundus can be checked and we can determine whether or not the child needs glasses with or without his or her cooperation. The pupils will remain dilated for 3 - 6 hours after the examination. So, a normal examination might last up to one hour. You must be patient and supportive of the child.