Pediatric Ophthalmology

The Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, as part of the UPMC Eye Center, provides examination, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment of ocular, eye movement, and vision system disorders in neonates, infants, and children.

Conditions for which patients are often referred include:

• Amblyopia, a vision weakness of one eye that is often referred to as "lazy eye"
• Craniofacial syndromes such as tumors and abnormally shaped skulls
• Eye and vision disorders associated with genetic diseases and diseases of the metabolism, the nervous system, and the immune system
• Neuro-ophthalmic disorders
• Nystagmus, a condition of involuntary, usually side-to-side movements of the eyeballs that often accompanies other vision problems
• Pediatric cataracts, a build-up of material on the lens of the eye
• Pediatric glaucoma, a build-up of fluid within the eye
• Refractive errors, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism
• Retinopathy of prematurity, a degenerative condition of the retina
• Strabismus, a condition in which the eyes are out of line relative to one another, resulting in a permanent squint

The Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology provides various eye testing and examination services, including:

• Anterior Segment Photography
• Electroretinography (ERG)
• Electrooculography (EOG)
• External Photography
• Fluorescein Angiography (FA)
• Fundus Photography
• Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT)
• Ultrasonography
• Visual Field Examination

Referral Requirements

Depending on your child's insurance, a referral may be required from a primary care physician or other Chldren's Hospital specialty service. Referrals for patients enrolled in managed care insurance plans also may require authorization from the insurance provider and primary care physician. All necessary referral and authorization forms must be received before the hospital visit. For accurate provider numbers or more information, please call the office number listed.

For more information, please visit the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh website.

Listen to Dr. Nischal discuss the latest in pediatric ophthalmology on this episode of "That's Pediatrics."