Our pediatric eye doctors serve as medical advisors to national and local organizations for children’s eye health and have been named among the “Best Doctors in America.”
Nemours Eye Doctors Named Among "Best"
Eye Care (Ophthalmology)
Nemours pediatric ophthalmologists (eye doctors who are also surgeons) are dedicated to helping your child achieve the best vision possible.
From the youngest children who can’t tell us what visual symptoms they are experiencing, to those who are getting their first pair of glasses, to those whose vision problems are just one part of a complex health conditon - we focus on the unique eye care needs of kids.
You can feel confident knowing that our ophthalmologists have the expertise to provide both routine and specialized care for pediatric eye problems.
Nemours Ophthalmology Locations
Why Bring Your Child to Our Pediatric Ophthalmologists
If your child fails a vision screening test or does not meet certain criteria, your family's primary care provider will refer your child for a comprehensive pediatric eye evaluation.
Children’s eye problems are often very different from those of adults for the simple reason that children’s eyes are still developing.
It’s very important to have your child’s eye problem evaluated early and treated promptly because untreated childhood eye disorders can lead to long-term vision problems. Nemours pediatric ophthalmologists offer comprehensive eye examinations and testing in order to diagnose and treat infant, childhood and adolescent eye disorders. Learn more about our specialized pediatric eye exams.
Specialized Training in Children's Eye Conditions
Our board-certified eye doctors have completed a residency in ophthalmology and are fellowship-trained in children’s eye problems. This means they have the skill and experience to perform pediatric eye surgery, as well as take care of common children’s eye conditions and provide corrective vision care.
Working As a Team To Help Your Child
Because some children’s eye problems can be related to specific medical conditions, our pediatric ophthalmologists often collaborate with other Nemours medical specialists. State-of-the-art electronic medical records and digital photography make it easy to share eye test results and treatment plans with our specialists, and your child’s primary care doctor.
We're Very Good at Listening
As a parent, your observations about your child’s visual behavior are invaluable and help our ophthalmologists care for your child.
Be sure to share your concerns, as well as a family history. Many eye conditions are inherited and if your family has a history of needing glasses early on, your children may be at risk of needing glasses at an early age.
Once we determine your child’s diagnosis, we’ll work with you to develop the best course of treatment. This plan may involve surgical correction, eyeglasses or contact lenses (depending on your child’s age), or simply close monitoring of your child’s condition.
Many vision problems change as your child grows, and you can be assured that we’ll partner with you all the way for your child’s optimal eye health.
When Should Your Child Have a First Eye Exam?
Nemours pediatric ophthalmologists encourage early screenings by your child’s primary care doctor at the newborn visit and at all well child visits.
In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) all recommend that your child's eyes be examined at timely intervals.
Why? Because early detection and treatment of eye disorders lead to more successful treatment outcomes — and are important for protecting your child's vision.
Our Pediatric Ophthalmology Care Ranks in Top 20%
At Nemours, we believe that your family’s care experience is an important part of the overall quality of care that we provide for your child. We listen closely to you, asking for your input on an ongoing basis through patient satisfaction surveys conducted by Press Ganey, a research firm that surveys patient-families from more than 7,000 health care organizations.
Press Ganey not only helps us measure our performance in relationship to other pediatric health care providers, it enables us to identify ways that we can improve your family’s experience.
We’re proud to report that recent survey results from our medical practices place Nemours Ophthalmology in the top 20% of pediatric health care providers in these key satisfaction areas:
- Care received during visit
- Patients’ confidence in Care Provider
- Friendliness and courtesy of Care Provider
- Likelihood of recommending practice
In the Words of Our Patient-Families
Just as gratifying as the survey results, are the personal responses about Nemours Ophthalmology care that we receive from parents.
Here are just a few of the notes:
“This was our first visit to the Ophthalmology Dept…Everyone at Nemours, the staff who checks you in, nurses, doctors, assistants, the staff at check out, is wonderful!
Jacksonville, FL
“(Our doctor) handled everything she did with promptness and made sure we were taken care of she scheduled appointments for us and called to check on our daughter's status after surgery…she made this difficult time easier for us and we thank her for that.”
Jacksonville, FL
"If (our doctor) hadn't been so astute & observant, our son might have had surgery that he does not need at this time. The staff … helped us through a very rough situation with amazing professionalism...Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Wilmington, DE
”We come all the way from Cape May, so we can receive quality service and care for our 2-year-old."
Wilmington, DE
Pediatric Ophthalmology Research in Delaware
The Division of Ophthalmology at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children participates in the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), a collaborative network dedicated to facilitating multi-center clinical research in strabismus, amblyopia and other eye disorders that affect children.
The network, which was formed in 1997, is funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI). The NEI is a part of the National Institutes of Health, which is the branch of government that funds medical research. There are currently over 60 participating sites (offices) with over 120 pediatric ophthalmologists and pediatric optometrists in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom participating in the network.
Pediatric Ophthalmology Research in Florida
The Division of Ophthalmology at Nemours Children's Clinic, Jacksonville has been involved with research related to childhood vision screening, retinopathy of prematurity examinations, and evaluation of the optic discs in children. Nemours Jacksonville was one of two national sites selected to participate in the Children’s Eye Foundation’s See By Three project, designed to evaluate vision screening effectiveness in the pediatric medical home.
We realize that you may have questions about your child’s vision or eye condition, so we’ve provided resources below that have been medically reviewed by our Nemours experts at KidsHealth.org or approved by our Nemours ophthalmologists who consult regularly with national organizations devoted to children’s visual health.
Information from Nemours KidsHealth.org
- Vision Facts and Myths (English & Spanish)
- Your Child’s Vision (English & Spanish)
- First Aid for Eye Injuries (English & Spanish)
- Strabismus and amblyopia ( For Kids)
- Tear duct obstruction and surgery (English & Spanish)
- Retinopathy of prematurity (English & Spanish)
- Retinoblastoma (English & Spanish)
Information from Additional Trusted Resources
Learn about amblyopia and patching at the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS)
Learn about ptosis at the AAPOS
Join the Eye Patch Club from Prevent Blindness America®
Get information about clinical studies for ambylopia at the National Eye Institute
Learn about childhood glaucoma and cataracts at the Pediatric Glaucoma and Cataract Family Association
Quick Links
Trusted Resources for Children's Vision
- American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS)
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- Children’s Eye Foundation
- Join the Eye Patch Club from Prevent Blindness America®
- Florida Division of Blind Services and Visually Impaired
- Vision is Priceless