What is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist?
Dr. Amy Wexler is a medical and surgical doctor who specializes in the eye problems of children. In particular, vision develops in the brain until about age 9 years and can be affected by eyes that are not straight or do not focus correctly. A child can grow up with good vision in each eye if these problems are caught early, treated and maintained.
All ophthalmologists have some training in children’s eye problems, but Dr. Wexler has had additional training and practice in examining children and caring for their eye problems. If your pediatrician suggests that your child have his or her eyes checked, Dr. Wexler will have the greatest knowledge of the possible conditions and the greatest experience in examining children effectively.
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What types of examinations does Dr. Wexler provide?
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Vision testing- it takes particular skill to assess a child’s vision, particularly before the child is in school. Different methods have to be used at different ages.
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Measuring eye position in all patients who have misaligned eyes (strabismus)
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Examining the eye for abnormal structures, parts of the eye that are not functioning, signs that diseases are affecting the eyes such as genetic conditions, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes, and injuries.
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Examinations of uncooperative, very young children including premature babies.
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Determines what type and strength glasses a child needs at any age, by measuring the focusing ability of the eye (retinoscopy) after drops have made the pupils larger.
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What kinds of treatments does Dr. Wexler provide?
Medical treatments
Amblyopia (undeveloped vision or the vision part of “lazy eye”) including glasses, patching, and dilating drops.
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Glasses prescriptions or contact lenses for simple lack of focus such as nearsightedness, astigmatism or farsightedness.
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Infection such as conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and the tissue around the eye (orbit).
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Inflammation inside the eye (iritis) from systemic conditions.
Surgery
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Why should your child be examined by a pediatric ophthalmologist?
 Children are not just small adults. They cannot always say what is bothering them. They cannot always answer medical questions, and are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a medical examination. Children have different eye conditions from adults, particularly for vision development in the brain.
A pediatric ophthalmologist knows how to examine and treat children in a way that makes them relaxed and cooperative. In addition, Dr. Wexler uses equipment specially designed for children.
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