Ophthalmology

At Nemours, ophthalmologists offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment of infants, children, and adolescents with a variety of eye disorders. Our staff provides routine and specialized eye care to all children, with an emphasis on the special needs child.

Nemours believes that an early eye exam is critical to the visual health of children and has made a commitment to train pediatricians and family physicians so they can conduct these exams. Dr. Robert Hered, Chief of Ophthalmology at Nemours Children’s Clinic in Jacksonville, collaborated with the Vision is Priceless Council to develop and distribute more than 7,000 training CDs to physicians in Florida. The training CD is available for viewing at PedsEducation.org.

The training CD provides techniques for performing vision screening for children from birth through five years of age. Plans are underway to make the training available in 2007 to physicians via the largest ophthalmology, pediatric and family physician web sites.

Nemours pediatric ophthalmologists have done a residency in ophthalmology and have completed extra training in fellowship to gain expertise specifically in children's eye problems. Nemours ophthalmology is educating pediatric ophthalmologists for the future with an approved pediatric ophthalmology fellowship at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children.

Conditions seen include:

• strabismus (eyes not working together) and amblyopia (lazy eye)
• oculoplastic problems: nasolacrimal duct obstructions (blocked tear duct), masses around the eye, droopy eyelids, etc.
• congenital cataracts
• congenital glaucoma
• retinal problems: retinopathy of prematurity, retinal dystrophy, etc.
• eye and periocular trauma
• eye problems associted with medical conditions: inflammation in the eyes from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, monitoring for retinopathy from diabetes or sickle cell disease, etc.
• eye problems associated with genetic disorders: Marfan's syndrome, etc.
• eye problems associated with craniofacial syndromes
• neuro-ophthalmology problems: eye problems associated traumatic brain injury, nerve palsies, etc.
• antenatal counseling for eye problems identified by prenatal ultrasound or prenatal history

Nemours ophthalmologists use an integrated medical record that unifies patient care across specialties and locations, prompting ophthalmologists to consider best practices gained from Nemours experience and academic literature. We provide excellent care that places the patient and family at the center, and our commitment to communication is central to the process. We strive to create a uniquely satisfying experience bringing peace of mind to patients and families.

Nemours locations offer a range of ophthamology services. Please refer to the sites listed to the left for specific services available at each location.