The Department of Ophthalmology at Boston Children's Hospital offers the latest and best in diagnostics and care for children with vision problems, no matter how simple or complex. We specialize in treating cataracts in babies and children, traumatic eye injuries, juvenile glaucoma, and a variety of other conditions and focus on patient-centered care.
In pediatrics, patient-centered care is based on the understanding that the family is the child's primary source of strength and support, and the expert on that child's well-being. The perspectives and participation of patients and their families are an important part of the decisions made by our healthcare providers regarding each child. Patient-centered care means that the physicians, nurses and support staff take the time to listen to each patient and family. It means educating parents about their child's condition and treatment options, supporting them emotionally, providing resources and assistance, involving the patient and family in decisions, and advising based on what is best for each individual child. Patient-centered care leads to better health outcomes and results in patients and families feeling more satisfied with their hospital and medical care experience.
Our expertise
The Department of Ophthalmology at Boston Children’s is believed to be the largest group of full-time practicing pediatric ophthalmologists in the United States with 29 ophthalmologists, nine optometrists, and nine orthoptists on staff. Boston Children’s pediatric ophthalmologists lead their peers in research that is advancing the way eye conditions are diagnosed and treated. Our experts have pioneered specialized diagnostic and surgical techniques for babies and children. We see more than 40,000 outpatients each year, and more than 1,500 surgical procedures are performed annually in our 11 locations.
Notable features of the Department of Ophthalmology include:
- We provide an array of specialized ophthalmologic services with a level of expertise not offered anywhere else in the world, including:
- A Pediatric Cataract Service that is a national leader treating rare babies and children with cataracts.
- A Medical Retina and Ocular Genetics Service that is known worldwide for its expertise in evaluating common and rare retinal degenerative conditions using state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures.
- A Surgical Retina Service that offers expert repair of pediatric retinal detachments – the most complex cases in the specialty.
- An Ocular Oncology Program that provides life-saving treatment of tumors in and around the eye including retinoblastoma by New England’s only ocular oncology fellow trained specialist.
- A cohort of multi-fellowship-trained specialists in pediatric glaucoma, cornea, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastic surgery, trauma, and others, providing a “last stop” for children with complex eye disease in need.
- A Pediatric Optometry Service that provides vision care for children with multiple disabilities, those requiring low vision aids, babies who require contact lenses after cataract surgery, and specialty lenses for children with damage to the surface of the eye.
- An Adult Strabismus Service for treatment of misaligned eyes (strabismus) in patients of all ages.
- We are an integral part of Boston Children’s clinical care, including collaborative ventures such as:
- a consultation service providing pediatric ophthalmology care in the ED and all inpatient areas
- joint clinics with other services for concussion, vascular disorders, rare genetic syndromes, craniofacial disorders, rheumatologic conditions, and others
- telemedicine support of the endocrinology service allowing family-friendly screening for diabetic eye disease
- We have a vigorous basic and translational research effort with six non-clinical principle investigators.
- We are a leader in equity, diversity, and inclusion at Boston Children's.
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