Pediatric Ophthalmology
Pediatric Ophthalmology is a dedicated specialty within
the field of ophthalmology that requires physicians with a great respect
and care for their patients, in addition to a personality that is
conducive to working with children.
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Our Physicians
Dr. Lynnette Watkins is
a board-certified ophthalmologist who is also a fellowship trained
Oculoplastic & Cosmetic Surgery Specialist. She treats many pediatric
conditions involving the eyelids, tear ducts, orbit & surrounding
facial areas that encompass many of the surgeries that Dr. Bloom performed.
Dr. Watkins has exemplary skills, education and credentials. She completed
her Ophthalmology Residency at Harvard’s Massachusetts Eye &
Ear Infirmary and was also an Ophthalmology Instructor at Harvard
Medical School. In addition to Dr. Watkins, Dr.
Elise Beatty is also available. She is one of Richmond Eye Center’s
Medical Optometrists, who also treats pediatric patients.
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Stabismus (Crossed Eyes)
Strabismus is a result of improper alignment of the
eyes. In the most common form of strabismus, esotropia, the eyes turn
in relative to one another. The lay term for this is "crossed
eyes." In exotropia, the eyes turn out. An important point about
stabismus is that one eye usually remains straight at any given time,
with only the other eye turned in, out, up or down. The brain chooses
to point one eye straight ahead and let the other one deviate. It
may choose to use just one eye exclusively, or it may prefer to use
one eye more than the other, or it may freely alternate back and forth
between the two. In childhood strabismus, the consequences of the
brain's choices in this regard are enormous.
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Ambylopia (Lazy Eye)
If the brain decided just to use one eye, the visual
pathways of the other eye can literally wither away. That results
in the unused eye, a problem called amblyopia, or "lazy eye."
The treatment is to have the child wear a patch over the "good"
eye, forcing the brain to use the neglected one until it is built
up equally in vision. About 4% of all children in the United States
have some form of strabismus (usually esotropia). It is especially
common among children with disorders affecting the brain, such as
cerebral palsy, but usually occurs in those with no other apparent
problems. Thus, all children should have their eyes examined at or
before their fourth birthday, earlier if there is a family history
of these problems. The treatment for childhood strabismus depends
upon the cause. Sometimes, glasses are needed to correct farsightedness
and other focusing problems which are causing strabismus. Other times,
surgery is needed to adjust the tension of the eye muscles.
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