Pediatric Ophthalmology
Pediatric Ophthalmologist in Illinois & Iowa
Helping Your Child’s Vision at Eye Surgeons Associates
Children rely heavily on their vision to learn, play, and engage with the world. That’s why early identification and treatment of common visual problems in children are essential. At Eye Surgeons Associates, our board-certified pediatric ophthalmologist and skilled optometrists are dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care for children of all ages. We specialize in diagnosing and managing pediatric vision conditions to help ensure healthy visual development.
Vision problems in children often go undetected, especially when kids are too young to describe their symptoms. Our experienced pediatric eye doctor uses advanced diagnostic tools and age-appropriate exams to identify issues as early as possible. Whether your child is experiencing difficulty focusing in school or has noticeable eye misalignment, our team is here to help with accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment.
Early Signs of Vision Problems in Children
Babies can see from the moment they’re born. But for your child’s vision to develop properly, both eyes need to send clear signals to the brain. If something interferes with this process—like crossed eyes or focusing problems—your child’s visual development can be permanently affected.
Babies eyes can be checked during pediatric well visits starting at 6 months and should have their first complete eye exam at age 3.
Common signs that your child is experiencing a vision issue include frequent squinting, excessive eye rubbing, complaints of blurry or double vision, and trouble maintaining eye contact. Some children may tilt their heads when reading, avoid activities that require near vision, or show signs of poor hand-eye coordination. These symptoms often point to underlying pediatric eye conditions that require evaluation by our trusted pediatric ophthalmologist who sees children in our specially outfitted exam rooms in the Bettendorf and Rock Island clinics.
Signs your child may need an eye exam:
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Excessive tearing
- Covering or closing one eye
- Tilting head to see better
- Difficulty with schoolwork
- Complaints of headaches
- Avoiding books or close work
Our clinic is equipped to handle everything from routine pediatric eye exams to managing complex visual disorders. Early intervention can significantly impact your child’s academic performance and overall development. If your child shows any signs of visual difficulty, we encourage you to schedule an exam.
Common Pediatric Eye Conditions We Treat
At Eye Surgeons Associates, we diagnose and treat a variety of pediatric eye conditions.
Amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye,” occurs during infancy and early childhood while vision is still developing. One eye develops better vision than the other, leading the brain to favor the stronger eye. If left untreated, amblyopia can cause long-term vision loss. However, the earlier we catch it, the easier it is to fix. After childhood, it becomes much harder to treat.
Eye Surgeons Associates also offers Luminopia, the first FDA-approved digital therapy for lazy eye, to treat kids ages 4-7. Instead of traditional eye patches, kids now watch their favorite shows (PBS, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street) using a special VR headset! Ask if your child may be eligible for this more fun and easier to stick with treatment.
Another frequent issue is strabismus, or eye misalignment, where one or both eyes turn inward or outward. This condition can interfere with depth perception and may require glasses, patching therapy, or surgery.
Refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, are also common in children. These issues can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses. Children may sometimes suffer from congenital cataracts or blocked tear ducts, which require specialized care from an experienced pediatric ophthalmologist.
Our pediatric specialist also cares for:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (premature baby eye problems)
- Blocked tear ducts
- Styes and bumps on eyelids
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
- Congenital cataracts and glaucoma
- Eye injuries
- Dermoid cysts