Counting Down the Days
“My daughter counts down the days to see Dr. Steve like other kids count down to Christmas or vacation. As parents, we trust his expertise and appreciate his explanations of conditions and care.”
Pediatric Ophthalmology
Kids see the world differently.
At OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois Pediatric Ophthalmology, our job is to make sure your child’s view stays as clear as possible. We’re the only dedicated children’s ophthalmology center in Illinois outside of Chicago, featuring specialists who are specifically trained to provide comprehensive eye care to kids from infants to teens, and even adults with conditions like strabismus.
What is Pediatric Ophthalmology?
Pediatric ophthalmology is a specialized field of medicine dedicated to diagnosing, treating and managing eye conditions in children. Since the causes of eye disorders in children are often different from those in adults, it’s essential to have a team focused on their unique needs. Early detection and diagnosis of childhood eye diseases are crucial for preventing potential vision loss.
Pediatric Ophthalmology Team
Our pediatric ophthalmology team specializes in caring for children’s unique eye health needs. Led by board-certified pediatric ophthalmologists trained to treat eye disorders and perform surgery on young patients, our team also includes orthoptists (specialists in eye movement and alignment), technicians and opticians who excel at making kids feel at ease while providing expert care.
Eye Conditions We Treat
We treat a variety of eye conditions, from simple to complex, including:
General Eye Conditions
- Amblyopia (Lazy eye)
- Blepharitis (Eye dandruff)
- Cataracts
- Chalazion (Eyelid cyst, Meibomian cyst, or Hordeolum/stye)
- Conjunctivitis
- Corneal abrasions (Scratched cornea)
- Dermoid cyst
- Diplopia (Double vision)
- Glaucoma
- Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
- Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
- Myopia (Nearsightedness)
- Nystagmus (Eye shaking)
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
- Strabismus (Crossed or wandering eye and other misalignments)
Optic Nerve Disorders
- Hereditary optic neuropathy/Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy/Dominant Optic Atrophy
- Optic disc drusen
- Optic nerve atrophy
- Optic nerve coloboma
- Optic nerve hypoplasia
- Optic neuritis
- Papilledema (Optic disc swelling)
Other Eye Conditions
- Astigmatism (curvature of cornea or lens)
- NLDO (nasolacrimal duct obstruction or stenosis)
- Refractive errors
- Tear drainage
Services and Treatments for Pediatric Eye Care
Whether your child needs an expert diagnosis, updated eyeglasses or help with managing a chronic eye disorder, our pediatric ophthalmology team can help. Our services include:
- Eye exams for children ages birth through 18 years (with a referral)
- Glasses and bifocals, including corrective lenses, specialized frames, adjustments, repairs or replacements
- Strabismus surgery for children and adults
- Tear duct surgery
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Ask for a Referral
Ask your child's primary care doctor to refer you to a pediatric ophthalmologist at OSF Children's Hospital. Need a primary care provider? Browse our directory.
