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Paediatric Ophthalmology in London

Closeup shot of child eyes with clear and shinny reflection

What is Paediatric Ophthalmology?

At Clinica London, the importance of paediatric ophthalmology is captured in the devoted care provided to children’s eye and visual health from aged zero to 18 years, by our paediatric ophthalmologists and orthoptists.

Paediatric ophthalmologists are entrusted with supporting a child’s pure sight and are crucial to visual development during their most fundamental years. They work closely with the Orthoptists who measure children´s vision and eye motility.

Their expertise is not limited to corrective lenses or diagnoses; rather, it comprises a compassionate and comprehensive approach to each stage of a child’s ocular maturation. Paediatric ophthalmology as a holistic practice involves an elaborate balance of addressing immediate visual and ocular motility concerns while anticipating growing eyes’ long-term developmental needs. They will care for your child´s visual development, their lazy eyes, detect refractive errors, problems with binocular vision and eye motility, strabismus (squint), as well as treat blepharitis, styes, eye allergy, ocular inflammation and more complex congenital and inherited retinal and optic nerve problems, and eyelid, tear duct and ocular disorders.

Each intervention, whether a simple eye exam or an in-depth strabismus (squint) procedure, is carried out gently, ensuring comfort and fostering a nurturing environment for children. Here at Clinica London, the journey into paediatric ophthalmology unfolds, shedding light on the thorough care our consultants provide.

This space highlights how they blend the latest medical innovation with the softness and understanding necessary to cater to young eyes, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy vision.

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Why Choose Clinica London for Private Paediatric Ophthalmology?

Choosing the right private paediatric ophthalmologist in London is crucial for your child’s visual health.

Clinica London is a leading clinic in specialised eye care for the young, whether a baby, toddler, or teenager up to the age of 18 years, as well as adults.

Clinica London is Care Quality Commission registered to care for children from birth to age 18 years, for diagnose and treatment of paediatric eye conditions.

Our expert team, led by renowned paediatric ophthalmic consultants Ms Naomi Tan and Ms Naz Raoof, offers unmatched expertise in a welcoming and child-centric environment. By staying at the forefront of advancements in ophthalmology, we are constantly consolidating our commit to excellence and ensuring that we provide your child with the best care.

Ms Naz Raoof – all paediatric ophthalmology, amblyopia and strabismus, adult strabismus and Neuro-Ophthalmology

Ms Naomi Tan – all paediatric ophthalmology, amblyopia and strabismus, general ophthalmic disease in children, urgent eye problems in children

Other Specialist Consultants at Clinica London seeing Children:

Professor Sajjad Ahmad – corneal, keratoconus, external eye diseases and ocular allergy from age 6 years, will see younger on request e.g. for ocular allergy

Ms Evgenia Anikina – medical and surgical retina from aged 6 years, including retinal detachment

Professor Michel Michaelides – inherited retinal diseases from birth upwards

Mr Julian Robins – all general ophthalmology and retinal problems for aged 6 years and older

Ms Jane Olver – eyelids ptosis, orbit and lacrimal – oculoplastic surgery, styes and chalazia – all ages

Mr Harry Petrushkin – inflammatory eye diseases including juvenile idiopathic eye inflammation and Behçet´s disease – all ages

Ms Michelle Ting – All paediatric Oculoplastics, eyelid, orbital and lacrimal conditions including congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and paediatric dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)

Miss Hannah Dunbar – Low vision optometrist

Your child’s comfort and well-being are our priority. Our facilities are specifically designed to put children at ease while our dedicated nurses and consultants shine with professionalism and warmth, making each visit as stress-free as possible. By entrusting us with your child’s eye-care, you’re joining a family that values exceptional, compassionate service and ensuring that your child sees their world more clearly.

a specialist performing eye examination on a child

When Should Your child a Paediatric Ophthalmologist?

The visual health of a child is as dynamic as their growth and development. Recognising the right time to see a paediatric ophthalmologist is vital in protecting their vision for the future. At Clinica London, we advise routine checks as an integral part of your child’s healthcare journey.

If your child experiences frequent symptoms such as eye malalignment (an eye turn, squint or strabismus), wobbly eyes, eye rubbing, excessive blinking, squinting, a lazy eye, or a sore irritant or red or watery eye, it’s time to consult our paediatric ophthalmologists. If there is a family history of childhood eye conditions or if your child shows difficulty focusing on objects or complains of headaches and blurred vision, these are clear indicators that a professional assessment is necessary.

Early detection can be the key to correcting many paediatric eye issues, so we recommend regular eye exams. Our expert paediatric ophthalmologists are here to guide you through each step, ensuring your child’s eyesight is clear and healthy.

They are supported by a team of orthoptists who measure children´s vision, assess ocular motility, and measure strabismus eye deviation (squint) in order to help guide treatment options.

Our Orthoptists:

Mr Joe McQuillan

Ms Leena Patel

Mr Greg Richardson

Miss Victoria Tang

Mr Vijay Taylor

a specialist showing an example of an eye to a child

What To Expect at An Appointment

Upon arrival at Clinica London, you and your child will be welcomed into a calm, airy waiting room designed to provide a soothing atmosphere for children and teenagers alike. For teenagers requiring a more mature approach, our facilities are thoughtfully tailored to resonate with their preferences, ensuring they feel understood and respected.

Our expert receptionists, doctors, nurses, orthoptists, ophthalmic technicians, and optometrists are dedicated to ensuring your child’s visit is comfortable and reassuring. Clinica’s facilities are thoughtfully equipped with nappy changing areas and toilets, catering to the needs of both young children and adolescents.

At Clinica London, we strive to create a safe, pleasant, and stress-free experience for every young patient and their family.

All children will be seen first by the orthoptists for diagnostic vision, motility and muscle balance, and accommodative testing. This includes visual acuity, tests of accommodation and convergence, cover tests, and prism cover tests, all designed to establish the level and quality of binocular vision and the function of the eye muscles.

As part of the vision assessment, your child´s pupils may be dilated with drops to enable the paediatric ophthalmologist to examine the eye at the front and at the back using the slit lamp. They will detect the need for glasses (called cycloplegic refraction) and carry out a thorough retinal fundal examination using a head-mounted microscope, to establish the health or otherwise of the retina and optic nerve.

treatment brochure being shown to a child patient

Paediatric Ophthalmology Treatments We Offer

Red eye Treatment

This treats red eye, commonly known as pink eye or conjunctivitis. A child will typically have watery and sticky eyes that may also be sensitive to light. Depending on the child’s age, they may have a vision test or be assessed by one of our nurses.

Once the condition has been diagnosed, one of our consultants can help further explain how to prevent it from spreading to the other eye or children. Artificial tear drops are commonly prescribed. For more severe cases, we can provide a milder steroid drop.

Blepharitis and Styes Treatment

The blepharitis treatments suggested by our consultants will help soothe symptoms and treat blepharitis and styes, eye conditions causing redness, irritation, and eyelid swellings with crusting at the base of the eyelashes.

These treatments help reduce any inflammation or toxins that may build up. Additionally, we may recommend low-dose anti-inflammatory antibiotics. Rarely surgery is required if there are persistent styes and chalazia.

a specialist explaining the eye treatment to a child

Children’s Vision Treatment

Depending on the child’s age, drops are put in to dilate the eye to check the prescription of the eyes and the pair of glasses. In addition, we will discuss any family history that involves eye conditions and if any symptoms have been affecting you and your child’s daily life. Our consultant will then diagnose and find ways to prevent or treat your child’s vision with a combination of glasses and patching for amblyopia (lazy eye).

Refractive Errors Treatment

Refractive errors such as Near-sightedness (myopia), Farsightedness (hyperopia), Astigmatism and Presbyopia are most commonly treated by adding or subtracting focusing power with corrective lenses in glasses and contact lenses.

High Myopia Treatment

Myopia is typically genetic. As such, treatment can control the progression of the condition but cannot prevent it. Our aim is to reduce the risk and degree of myopia as it weakens other structures since high myopia can have vision-threatening side effects.

Research studies consistently show that a low dose of atropine is effective at slowing the progression of myopia.

Strabismus (also known as Squint)

A turn in the eye or squint, also known as strabismus, is the most common children´s eye disorder seen by our Paediatric Ophthalmologists. The orthoptists do the vision testing, eye movement, and binocular vision assessment. The ophthalmologists measure the eyes for glasses by cycloplegic refraction and decide, based on all the tests done, whether glasses are needed, patching is necessary, squint surgery is necessary, or a combination of all three is necessary for your child´s squint.

Amblyopia (also known as lazy eye)

Paediatric ophthalmologists detect and treat amblyopia with glasses and patching to improve the vision of the lazy eye and give your child the best possible vision opportunities for later.

Watery eyes

At birth, the nasal ducts do not always open immediately, and advice on massaging the lacrimal sac is required if your child´s eye is sticky or watery or has swelling. Some children will require syringing and probing after the age of one year; if the congenital watering persists, a very small number go on to require tear duct surgery to rechannel the tear route into the nose. At Clinica London the Oculoplastic surgeons see and treat many children with watery eyes from birth upwards.

Paediatric Ptosis Treatment

At Clinica London, we offer treatment for Ptosis, a condition also known as droopy eyelids. This condition affects the upper eyelids and may affect both or one of them. Some rare occurrences of this disorder may be treated using medication, but in the majority of children with ptosis, the treatment is oculoplastic eyelid surgery (Ptosis surgery).

After examining your child’s eyelids, the oculoplastic surgeon will determine the type and extent of ptosis surgery required. Your child will be assessed by the orthoptists to determine the level of vision and examine the eye motility.

If ptosis surgery is required, we will use general anaesthesia during the procedure. Typically, the eyelid is raised by tightening the levator muscle inside the eyelid, which can be highly fragile in children with severe ptosis. When the levator is very weak, the lid may need to be suspended from beneath the eyebrow to allow the child’s forehead muscles to raise.

Keratoconus Treatment

We offer treatment for Keratoconus, a non-inflammatory degenerative condition affecting the cornea. With this condition, the typical shape of the cornea progressively becomes thinner and bulges forward. Keratoconus is most commonly diagnosed in teenagers and young adults.

If the condition is diagnosed at an early stage, glasses are usually prescribed. If the condition is milder, then contact lenses are preferred. If the treatment has worsened, a new treatment known as Cross linking (CXL) can be considered. CXL is a treatment which prevents the cornea from becoming conical in shape, and which binds the collagen fibres to strengthen them. This can effectively prevent the progression of Keratoconus.

Inherited retinal Disease (also known as genetic eye disease)

This is a specialised area of paediatric ophthalmology for genetic eye diseases, presided over by the National and International medical retinal specialist, Professor Michel Michaelides.

Juvenile idiopathic inflammation

This is a specialised area of paediatric ophthalmology for genetic eye diseases, presided over by Mr Harry Petrushkin, who is an internationally known ophthalmologist specialising in ocular inflammation, especially Juvenile Idiopathic Ocular Inflammation.

a specialist and a child looking at the eye treatment brochure

Common Indications of Eye Problems in Children

At Clinica London, we understand that spotting eye issues in children can be complicated. In order to protect your child’s visual development, early diagnosis is essential.

Here are some key signs to watch out for:

Eye Rubbing: Your child’s frequent rubbing of their eyes may indicate refractive problems in their eyesight.
Excessive Blinking: If your child blinks a lot, it may be due to irritation from allergies or might indicate a vision correction need.
Unusual Spots on the Eye: Noticeable spots, whether red, grey, or brown, on the eye’s white area, could point to an injury, allergic reaction, or another eye condition.
Eye Discharge: Discharges from the eye can be symptoms of infections, allergies, or blocked tear ducts, requiring professional assessment.
Head Tilting: A child struggling with clear vision might often tilt their head or cover one eye to see better.
Close Viewing Habits: Sitting too close to screens or holding objects near the face could suggest vision problems.
Uneven Pupil Size: Pupils that are uneven in size or don’t respond to light changes warrant immediate attention, as they could be signs of underlying issues.
Drooping Eyelids: This could be a condition known as ptosis, needing specialist attention.
Misaligned Eyes: Any noticeable, constant or intermittent misalignment of your child’s eyes, known as a squint, should be evaluated by a paediatric ophthalmology specialist.

We’re here to support you while you work through these concerns and ensure your child’s eyes develop normally.

an image of the children toy in a eye specialist office

Recovery and Aftercare

At Clinica London, your child’s well-being during their recovery and aftercare after treatment is our utmost priority.

Every child’s eye condition is unique. Hence, adhering to the specific aftercare plan provided by our consultants is fundamental. These plans are tailored to address individual needs and ensure the best outcome for your child.

Regular follow-up visits with the paediatric ophthalmologist are essential. These appointments allow us to monitor your child’s healing progress, make necessary adjustments to their treatment plan, and allow you to discuss any concerns or questions.

Remember, your child’s health and comfort are our top priorities. If you have any queries or need to book an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us; together, we can ensure a smooth and effective recovery for your child’s eye health.

Our consultantS

Our team at Clinica London team offers general, specialist and urgent paediatric and adolescent ophthalmology care, covering all aspects of children’s and teenagers’ vision and eye problems. Our Paediatric Ophthalmology Consultants treat many children’s and teenagers’ eye conditions. All children from birth to adulthood are welcomed.

Our Expert Team includes our Specialist Eye Consultants, complemented by four warm and friendly Orthoptists and an Optometrist, all committed to nurturing children and teenagers’ eye and skin health.

Ms Naz Raoof, our Lead Paediatric Ophthalmologist and Neuro-ophthalmologist, skilfully handles a range of conditions, from squints and optic nerve problems to refractive errors and visual development in children of all ages, starting from birth.

Ms Naomi Tan, our newest paediatric ophthalmologist, brings her expertise to general and urgent paediatric ophthalmology and squints for children from birth to 18 years.

Ms Michelle Ting manages all paediatric Oculoplastics, eyelid, orbital and lacrimal conditions, including congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and paediatric dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

Ms Jane Olver specialises in oculoplastic surgery, addressing children’s and adolescents’ eyelid and tear duct issues.

Mr Harry Petrushkin specialises in uveitis and all inflammatory eye diseases.

Professor Michel Michaelides is an internationally recognised expert in inherited retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and cone dystrophies, providing care from birth to young adulthood.

Professor Sajjad Ahmad is renowned for his ocular surface and corneal surgery work. He caters to children, teenagers, and young adults aged ten and above with conditions such as allergies, blepharitis, chalazion, and keratoconus, including corneal cross-linking for keratoconus in teenagers and young adults.

Ms Evgenia Anikina, our retinal specialist, manages ocular emergencies and routine eye problems, including retinopathy of prematurity screening from birth and other retinal issues from age 6.

Mr Julian Robins offers expert care in vision conditions, focusing on the retina, macula, and post-cataract surgery complications in children and adults.

Our Orthoptists, Miss Victoria Tang, Ms Leena Patel, Mr Greg Richardson, Mr Vijay Tailor, and Mr Joe McQuillan, are skilled in assessing children’s vision, ensuring both eyes function harmoniously, and treating amblyopia, also known as lazy eye.

Optometrist Ms Hannah Dunbar performs cycloplegic refractions for all age groups and specialises in Low Vision assessments and treatments for children aged four and above.

At Clinica London, we are committed to delivering premium care for your child’s eye and skin health.

Ms Naz Raoof

Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist
Adult and Child Strabismus & Neuro-ophthalmology Specialist

Ms Naomi Tan

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Paediatric Ophthalmology, Paediatric Strabismus, and Adult Cataract Specialist

Ms Michelle Ting

Consultant Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Miss Jane Olver

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Oculoplastic (Eyelid) & Lacrimal Specialist
Medical Director
President International Society Dacryology and Dry Eye 2024-2026

Mr Harry Petrushkin

Consultant Ophthalmologist
Adult and Child Uveitis Specialist and Cataract Surgeon

Professor Michel Michaelides

Professor of Ophthalmology
Medical Retina & Inherited Retinal Disease Specialist

Professor Sajjad Ahmad

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Cornea & External Eye Diseases, Cataract, Keratoconus & Refractive Surgery Specialist

Ms Evgenia Anikina

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Cataract, Surgical Vitreoretinal (VR) and Medical Retina Specialist

Mr Julian Robins

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Cataract, Vitreoretinal (VR) and Medical Retina Specialist

Ms Victoria Tang

Consultant Orthoptist, Paediatric Ocular Motility and Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist

Ms Leena Patel

Consultant Orthoptist
Specialist in Paediatric and Adult Strabismus

Mr Greg Richardson

Consultant Orthoptist
Specialist in Paediatric, Adult and Neuro-Orthoptics

Mr Vijay Tailor

Consultant Orthoptist
Specialist in Paediatric and Adult Strabismus (squints)

Mr Joe McQuillan

Consultant Orthoptist Specialist in Paediatric
Adult Neuro-Orthoptics and Trauma Motility

Ms Hannah Dunbar

Consultant Optometrist
Low Vision Optometry Specialist

Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)

Pricing

Treatment	Price range
Self-paying – Orthoptist	£100 – £135
Paediatric Ophthalmologist	£300 – £400

All consultants and specialists at Clinica London see insured medical patients.

PAEDIATRIC OPHTALMOLOGY FAQS

Routine vision checks in children are crucial for early detection and treatment of eye conditions, starting from a very young age. Making an appointment with the orthoptist, paediatric ophthalmologist, or other specific specialist can significantly impact your child´s development, learning, and overall quality of life.

Refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), are among the most common eye conditions in children.

Strabismus (also known as squint) or pseudo-squint is very common.

Blepharitis and styes are common.

The rarer inherited retinal diseases (genetic eye diseases), juvenile Idiopathic Eye Inflammation (JIEI), and cataracts are the least common but visually important.

Range of Paediatric Ophthalmology Conditions Treated at Clinica London

Common childhood eye disorders.

Squint – also known as strabismus or an eye turn

Amblyopia – called a lazy eye as the vision is lower and less developed

Refractive errors – need for glasses for correction of long or short sightedness, hypermetropia and myopia

Watering eyes – commonly congenital

Children´s low vision from all causes

External eyelid and corneal diseases. The cornea is the clear window of the eye in front of the iris.

Uveitis – inflammation of the inside of the front of the eye –

Diseases of the retina, including retinal detachment, inflammation, and inherited retinal diseases.

Socket and eyelid problems

Childhood cataracts

Less common childhood eye disorders

Severe genetic eye conditions

Metabolic diabetic and thyroid eye disease

Eye development abnormalities

Microphthalmia, anophthalmia – small or absent eye at birth

We recommend making regular eye exams for your child. Besides routine checks, encouraging healthy screen time habits, going outside to catch natural sunlight for at least an hour and eating a nutritious diet are all factors that help to contribute to developing eye conditions. If your child already has a condition that cannot be prevented but can slow the progression, don’t hesitate to consult one of our experts to follow the proper care.

Award Winning Clinic in London

Clinica London is a leading ophthalmology and dermatology medical clinic. It has a sense of passion for helping patients. The clinic’s consultants are highly skilled professionals who have received British, European, and international awards in their respective fields. Clinica is honest and offers transparent treatment advice in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

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