From the youngest children who can’t tell us what they see, to those who are getting their first pair of glasses, and even to those whose vision problems are just one part of a complex health condition, we focus on the unique eye care needs of kids. Our pediatric ophthalmologists help your child achieve the best vision possible with routine and specialized care for pediatric eye problems.
Why Bring Your Child to a Pediatric Ophthalmologist?
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.
Pediatric 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 pediatric eye problems evaluated early
and treated promptly because untreated childhood eye disorders can lead to long-term vision problems.
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 for 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.
Jacksonville
Nemours Children's Clinic, Jacksonville
807 Children’s Way
Jacksonville, FL 32207
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Phone: (904) 697-3600
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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- photo ID
- medical and pharmacy insurance cards
- preferred pharmacy name and phone number
- names and dosage of all medications, including over-the-counter medication, your child is currently taking
- guardianship and custody papers, if a legal guardian rather than a parent accompanies your child
New Patients
Bring these forms for your first appointment:
- Authorization for Treatment and Release of Information (PDF)
- Assignment of Benefits (PDF)
- Notice of Limited Liability (PDF)
Returning Patients
- Patient Presents without Legal Guardian (PDF)
Note: A parent or legal guardian must be with a child for a first visit.
New Patient Forms
- Authorization for Treatment and Release of Information (PDF)
- Assignment of Benefits (PDF)
- Notice of Limited Liability (PDF)
Returning Patient Forms
- Patient Presents without Legal Guardian (PDF)
Note: A parent or legal guardian must be with a child for a first visit.
Resources for Patients & Families
- Insurance We Accept: See accepted insurance, listed by location
- Pay Your Bill: Use online bill pay or send by mail
- Financial Assistance: Help with your child's health care expenses
- MyNemours: Access your child’s medical record online
At Nemours Children's Clinic, Jacksonville, our eye care clinic is one of two sites selected by the Children’s Eye Foundation for the national "See by Three" Vision Screening Program.
We're Totally Focused on Your Child's Healthy Vision
Expertise in treating a wide range of pediatric eye problems has made Nemours Eye Care Clinic a regional pediatric ophthalmology referral site for families from Daytona, Tallahassee, South Georgia, and elsewhere.
Our experts know kids and how to make them feel at ease. This experience enables us to perform a quality eye exam even in the youngest children and babies, which can lead to more accurate diagnoses.
Pediatric Eye Exams Using Equipment Just for Kids
Using the latest diagnostic techniques and equipment adapted just for children, we provide comprehensive in-office pediatric eye exams that may include:
Retinal and eye photography
By taking a digital image of the back of the eye, we are able to examine parts of the retina in a way that's not possible with conventional instruments. This allows us to detect problems and monitor the retina for any signs of damage that could result in vision reduction or loss.
Visual field testing
Assessing your child’s field of vision can help determine whether he or she has problems with peripheral, or side vision, which can sometimes be an indicator of eye diseases such as glaucoma.
Ocular ultrasonography
An ultrasound that produces a 2-D image of the eye and its surrounding tissues can show any growths or other structural abnormalities. If a more in-depth study is needed, a CT scan or MRI may also be ordered.
Electroretinogram (ERG) Study
This test is used to diagnose and monitor hereditary and ischemic (due to inadequate oxygen) retinal disorders, before or after the child is symptomatic. The test helps in the diagnosis of:
- Retinal Dystrophy
- Retinitis Pigmentosa (a group of hereditary diseases of the retina)
- Usher Syndrome (a combination of hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa)
- Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (a severe abnormality of the retina present from birth)
- Stationary Night Blinding Disorders
- Best Disease (a progressive form of macular [central point of the retina] dystrophy)
Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) Studies:
A specialized electroencephalogram used to detect abnormalities related to electrical activity of the brain.
VEP Studies help diagnose and monitor optic nerve disorders, visual acuity problems and other medical conditions that affect the eyes like:
- Optic Neuritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Compressive Optic Neuropathy
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Unexplained Visual Acuity Loss
Early Pediatric Eye Exams Are Critical to the Visual Health of Children
Nemours pediatric ophthalmologists have developed a special training program for primary care doctors on how to conduct effective pediatric eye exams for children from birth to age five.
Our eye doctors have also developed a single-use sterile exam kit for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a serious eye disease that occurs primarily in premature infants and can lead to blindness. This kit, now used in over 31 states and 60 Neonatal Intensive Care Units across the country, makes ROP testing safer and reduces the chance of infection.
Working with Equipment and in Spaces Designed for Kids
Our staff includes four pediatric ophthalmologists, a pediatric optometrist, and experienced eye technicians.
Our clinic features:
- special child-friendly diagnostic equipment
- exam rooms designed to allow for pediatric eye exams
- a pediatric optometry room for contact lens fittings where we teach kids how to use and take care of their contacts
Our Pediatric Partnership with Wolfson Children's Hospital
A unique relationship with Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville allows our Nemours eye specialists to provide pediatric eye consultation in the emergency department for acute pediatric eye problems or injuries, and in the hospital or outpatient surgery center for other sometimes complex eye cases, such as tumors or cataracts that may require surgical equipment and anesthesia.
During any eye procedure requiring anesthesia, our Nemours pediatric anesthesiologists are right there with your child to make decisions on the best types of anesthesia medicine to make sure your child is comfortable.
Teaming up with Mayo Clinic
Nemours Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology also partners in the care of complex pediatric retinal disorders, such as retinoblastoma in children, with a Mayo Clinic retina specialist (an ophthalmologist who has received special training in conditions involving the retina).
Our Electronic Health Records Keep Your Child's Doctor in the Loop
Our award-winning electronic health records (EHR) and digital photography make it easy for us to share eye test results and treatment plans with your child’s primary care doctor, as well as with other Nemours pediatric specialists.
