Children’s (paediatric) ophthalmology service cares for children with eye and visual problems from common disorders to more severe conditions which can cause lifelong poor vision.
We see children with eye and visual problems which range from milder, common disorders such as:
- Squint – when one eye is not aligned with the other
- Lazy eye – when the vision in one eye is reduced because the eye has had a blurred image during childhood and the normal connections have not been made between eye and brain.
To more severe conditions which can lead to lifelong poor vision, such as:
- Cataract, glaucoma
- Retinal detachment (particularly as a result of premature birth)
- Eye tumours.
The service is led by consultants but is delivered by a range of staff including Orthoptists and dedicated Paediatric Nurses.
Services we offer
- Community screening of 4 year old children and community clinics for initial assessment of children with suspected squint and poor vision
- Screening of premature babies for retinopathy
- General hospital clinics for assessment and treatment of children with eye and vision problems
- Specialised clinics for assessment and treatment of children with eye inflammation (uveitis) and glaucoma
- Vision clinic in the child development centre to assess children with vision problems associated with general developmental disorders
- Transition clinics for older children and young people
- Day case and inpatient beds in the Great North Children’s Hospital
- Facilities for children’s eye surgery in the Great North Children’s Hospital
Contact us
Telephone: 0191 282 5448
