Ophthalmology and Optometry

When primary care doctors and families have concerns about a child’s eyes, we’re here to help. Our pediatric ophthalmology service is specifically designed and operated for the benefit of all children who have eye health problems. We specialize in the full spectrum of eye care for infants, toddlers, and school-age children. We even see adults referred by their regular eye doctor who have muscle problems and double vision. Our service also performs eye screening for a variety of pediatric conditions that affect vision, such as juvenile arthritis, diabetes, and neurofibromatosis.

The WVU Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences provides outreach care and services through the Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program for blind and visually impaired school-aged children in West Virginia, regardless of their ability to pay.

Conditions We Treat

Our pediatric ophthalmology services address many common and complex pediatric vision problems, including:

• Blepharitis
• Blocked tear ducts
• Blurred vision
• Cataracts (infant and pediatric)
• Cellulitis
• Corneal abrasions
• Crossed or drifting eyes (strabismus)
• Dermoid cysts
• Droopy eyelids
• Genetic/neurological conditions that affect vision
• Glaucoma
• Graves’ disease
• Keratitis
• Lazy eye (amblyopia)
• Nystagmus (uncontrolled, rhythmic eye movements)
• Pink eye
• Retinopathy of prematurity

Treatments and Services

We offer our pediatric patients specialized eye care services, and a vast majority of common surgical procedures, like eye muscle surgery, tear duct probings, and cataract removal. These procedures are performed as same-day surgery. WVU Medicine pediatric ophthalmologists perform a variety of screening tests for infants and children to detect any vision problems early in your child’s development. Depending on your child’s condition, treatment methods may include:

General

• Pediatric eye exams
• Eyeglasses and contact lenses through our Eye Shop
• Low vision care through the Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program
• Coordinated care with other specialists your child may also see

Surgical

• Eye muscle surgery
• Goniotomy and trabeculotomy
• Laser photocoagulation
• Oculoplastic reconstructive surgery
• Pediatric cataract removal
• Tear duct surgery

Locations