Paediatric Ophthalmology Department

According to the World Health Organization in 2002 more than 161 million people worldwide were visually impaired out of this 37 million were blind and 124 million people had low vision, childhood blindness remains a significant problem, with an estimated 1.4 million blind children below age 15. Sankara Nethralaya strives to eliminate avoidable blindness and restore sight in the poor needy people.

The Paediatric Ophthalmology Department at Sankara Nethralaya deals with eye problems in children. Adult patients suffering from squint and double vision are also examined and treated effectively.

Children may not complain if they do not see out of one or both eyes. Sometimes the only clue may be poor performance in School, as well viewing the blackboard at a very close distance. Hence all children need an eye exam at the time of starting Schooling.

Of the eye problems in children, the most important are refractive errors, squint and amblyopia.

Refractive error or the need for glasses is the single most important cause of vision impairment in children. This may lead to permanent deficiency in vision if not detected and treated early.

Squint, also known as cross eyes, is the condition where the eyes do not work together. Treatment includes glasses, eye exercises or eye muscle surgery.

Lazy eye or amblyopia is the term for poor vision in one or both eyes. It can result from refractive error, squint or several other causes. This needs to be identified and treated at an early age to recover vision.

Infants born prematurely are at risk for developing Retinopathy of pre-maturity (ROP) which may lead to permanent blindness. Sankara Nethralaya has been in the forefront in India in the treatment of this disorder.

Cataract (opacification of the lens) can occur in children. This may be present since birth or result from injury. The treatment involves surgical procedures but very often treatment of lazy eye.

There are several causes of double vision and squint in adults as well. These are managed by exercise, special glasses, and eye muscle surgery when required.

A child with any of the following needs to have a complete eye examination

Poor performance in School

Viewing objects at a very close distance

Squint

Eyes shaking

Family history of eye problems or wearing glasses

Faculty List

Dr Kavitha Kalaivani N – Consultant

Dr Lav Kochgaway - Consultant

Dr Meenakshi S – Consultant

Dr Sujata Guha – Consultant

Dr Sumita Agarkar – Deputy Director

Dr T S Surendran – Director - Dept. of Paediatric Ophthalmology

Paediatric Department Statistics

In Sankara Nethralaya an average of 22,000 paediatric patients clinically examined and treated in a year, out of this an average of 10,000 – 11,000 paediatric patients treated by paediatric consultants. As well yearly an average of 3,500 paediatric patients undergoes surgical procedure in a year out of this 850 paediatric patients treated by paediatric Department consultants.

Facilities Available

Paediatric Optical Service

Art of the vision treatment the well equipped and fascinated paediatric optical service is built in the paediatric wing for the convenience of the paediatric patients. All the colorful attractive quality frames and glasses (Essilor) are available for the patients comfort.

Orthoptics Evaluation

Low Vision Aids

Genetic Counseling