We see the future.
When it comes to eye care, kids need to be treated differently than adults. That’s why EYE-Q offers specialized pediatric eye care for a variety of congenital or developed eye conditions. From common childhood eye conditions such as strabismus (misaligned eyes) and poor visual development (amblyopia) to more complex pediatric ophthalmology disorders such as retinal and orbital tumors, glaucoma or cataracts—EYE-Q is here to help. Regular eye exams are crucial to maintaining your child’s vision. Often times, symptoms of serious eye conditions may go unnoticed or unreported by children. Left untreated, it could result in permanent damage. EYE-Q’s resident pediatric ophthalmologist Derick Holt, M.D., is an expert in identifying and treating a wide variety of childhood eye conditions. Thanks to his training and experience, along with EYE-Q’s suite of advanced technology, Dr. Holt can see what your child sees. He can quickly root out problems and prescribe the appropriate form of treatment for your child—keeping those precious eyes clear and bright well into the future.
Kid-Friendly Setting
A visit to the doctor can be frightening for a child. With that in mind, EYE-Q has developed a fun, friendly, comfortable atmosphere for parents and children alike. When kids come to EYE-Q’s Clovis office, apprehension quickly turns to excitement. They’ll find a play area that includes fun and interactive toys. They will then be seen by our specially-trained pediatric care team who will make the experience fun and educational. Our Clovis office is also home to an optical shop designed just for our pediatric patients.
Know the Symptoms
Many eye disorders present obvious symptoms. Some to look out for are abnormal head positions (e.g., head turns, head tilts, squinting, preferred postures), droopy eyelid (ptosis), crossed or wandering eye (strabismus), and cloudy eye (cataract). Other conditions do not present symptoms. Be aware and take notice when there is a history of prematurity, delayed motor development, frequent eye rubbing and excessive blinking. Other behaviors that may be indicative of an underlying condition are the inability to maintain steady gaze while looking at objects or poor tracking skills. Sometimes parents pick up on an important problem when they notice that one eye looks different in photographs.
Regular Eye Exams are Crucial!
Up to 10 percent of preschool-age children and 25 percent of school age children have vision problems. Early diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders in children are imperative, and could prevent long-term vision loss. Regular eye exams are the best way to diagnose and treat pediatric eye conditions before they become a major problem. When it comes to an eye exam, ensure your child there is nothing to fear. They are fast and painless. A thorough eye exam includes testing and evaluation of visual skills, an external examination of the eye, refraction testing for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, and a retina and optic nerve examination. In most cases, eye drops need to be administered to conduct a proper examination. The purposes of these exams is to assess your child’s visual function, and determine if they have, or are at risk for, problems with visual development. Like every child needs to learn how to walk and talk, every child needs to learn how to see. The brain’s visual centers are actively developing during early childhood, making detection and treatment of possible problems critically important.
Pediatric Eye Surgery
Most eye conditions can be treated through non-surgical means. However, certain conditions such as eye misalignment (strabismus), droopy eyelid (ptosis), cataracts, blocked tear ducts, ocular and peri-ocular lesions or masses, and retinopathy of prematurity may require surgical intervention. While surgery is always a serious consideration, eye surgery is generally an outpatient procedure and is quite common. Dr. Holt and his surgical team are among the most qualified in the region. Prior to surgery, Dr. Holt and his clinical team will carefully explain the procedure to you and your child, taking time to answer any questions you may have. They will also outline the expectations and timeline for healing and recovery. Depending on the procedure, surgery may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. You can expect to spend about a half a day at the surgery center. Most children are able to return to school three to five days after surgery.