Visit to the Pediatric Ophthalmologist

The comprehensive orthoptic and ophthalmologic examination requires sufficient time, which we are happy to take for you and your child. An open and curious attitude from children and accompanying persons helps us make the examinations enjoyable.

Our many years of experience have shown that many children find the examination easier when they know what to expect. The process outlined below provides an overview of the most common orthoptic and pediatric examinations. We encourage you to let your child read the text or read it to them to prepare them for the upcoming examination.

Routine Eye Examination for Children

First, you get to look into a device where you will see a hot air balloon (picture below). The device makes various sounds, and the image will become blurry and then sharp again. This is an initial examination that gives us important information about how well you can see.

Sometimes, we measure the intraocular pressure afterward. A device will blow a small puff of air onto your eyes. It doesn’t hurt, but many children and even adults might be startled when the air comes out of the device.

After that, you will go back to the waiting room, where you can play or read something. After a short waiting period, we will begin the main examination.

First Conversation (Medical History)

We will talk with you and your parents about whether you have noticed anything about your eyes or vision that bothers you. It is also important for us to discuss any illnesses you have had and any eye diseases in your family. After that, we will begin the examination. Some questions may be harder to answer than others – that’s completely normal.

Eye Test

Visual Acuity Test: We measure your visual acuity both at a distance and up close. To measure the sharpness of vision in each eye separately, we cover one eye at a time. You will look at letters, numbers, or shapes. Here is an example: rings – similar to the letter C – point in different directions. The person examining you will point to a ring, and you will use your finger to show the side where the ring is open. If you have looked very closely and are not sure, you can simply guess. This helps us find out how accurately you can see.

Stereopsis Test: In this part of the examination, you will look at different test cards with both eyes simultaneously and tell us what you see on them. Sometimes, we use special glasses for this.

Cover Test: Here, you will look steadily at a symbol or a number while we cover one eye and then the other. It’s important that you keep looking at the target and don’t let us distract you.

Eye Movement Test: We will have you look in all directions to see if your eyes can move freely.

If necessary, we will conduct further tests that work similarly and are not uncomfortable or painful. Then, the first part of the examination is complete.

Eye Drops

Now we will put eye drops in both of your eyes so that we can examine them better. You will feel the drops for a few seconds, and they might sting a little, but this will pass quickly. Now we wait for the eye drops to take effect. Children with dark eyes need more drops for their pupils to dilate. We usually wait 30 minutes for the drops to work well. You will notice that your vision is blurry and you may be a bit sensitive to light.

Examination with the Microscope

The second part of the examination is usually shorter than the first part. First, we will use the machine with the hot air balloon again, which you are already familiar with. After that, we will look into your eye with different devices and use a light to check if the device has measured correctly.

Discussion

Finally, we will discuss with you and your parents what we have found out about your eyes and whether any treatment (such as glasses) is necessary for you. If necessary, we will schedule the next appointment. That’s it!

After the Examination

The effect of the drops lasts for a few hours, so you will have blurry vision and be a bit sensitive to light. In most cases, this won’t bother you the next day or it will be completely gone. However, in rare cases, the pupils can remain dilated for several days. This is nothing to worry about!

It is best to bring sunglasses or a hat to your appointment so that you are not too bothered by the sunlight afterward.