Protecting Your Child’s Vision with Expert Pediatric Eye Care

Did you know 1 in 4 children has a vision problem they may not even recognize? Kids often struggle to explain their visual challenges, but these hidden issues can affect their learning, development, and confidence. Early detection is crucial to catch vision problems before they interfere with your child’s potential.

Looking for a trusted eye clinic in Ho Chi Minh City for kids? At European Eye Center, we specialize in comprehensive children’s eye care, ensuring your child receives expert attention from experienced eye doctors for kids.

Personalized Treatments for Kids

Trusted Ophthalmologist in Pediatric Eye Care

Eye doctor for kids

Dr. JD Ferwerda is a leading ophthalmologist specializing in pediatric eye care and retinal conditions. With over 30 years of experience, including extensive practice in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Vietnam, he has developed a deep understanding of childhood eye conditions and the latest diagnostic techniques. Dr. Ferwerda has significant expertise in managing complex pediatric conditions such as:

  • Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): Skilled in early detection and effective treatment plans to prevent severe complications in premature infants. Dr. Ferwerda is proud to contribute to the care of infants with ROP in Vietnam through his active involvement in the ROP Project, a collaboration with Nhi Dong 1 Hospital and the VinaCapital Foundation. This project aims to improve early screening and treatment of ROP using the latest equipment and advanced methods. Dr. Ferwerda plays a crucial role not only in treating these vulnerable infants but also in training local doctors, helping to build long-term capacity in the early detection and management of ROP. Nhi Dong 1 Hospital is the main and most popular children’s hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Myopia Management: Focused on slowing myopia progression using advanced techniques, including Orthokeratology (Ortho-K).
  • Strabismus and Amblyopia: Comprehensive diagnosis and therapy plans to align eyes and improve vision development.

Importance of Pediatric Eye Care

A child’s vision is crucial for their development and learning. Regular eye exams can help identify and treat potential vision problems early on, preventing future complications. Why are regular eye exams important?

  • Early detection of eye problems: Catching issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or lazy eye early on can lead to effective treatment and prevent vision loss.
  • Ensuring proper eye development: Regular check-ups help monitor a child’s eye health and development, ensuring they grow and function properly.
  • Improving academic performance: Good vision is essential for learning and concentration. Addressing vision problems can significantly improve a child’s academic performance.
  • Preventing eye strain and headaches: Uncorrected vision problems can lead to eye strain and headaches, which can affect a child’s comfort and ability to focus.
European Eye Center-Childrens-eyecare

Frequently Asked Questions About Children’s Eye Care

Your child should have their first eye exam around 6 months of age. Follow-up exams are recommended at 3 years old and before they start school. After that, annual check-ups help ensure healthy vision development.

Signs include:

  • Frequent squinting or eye-rubbing
  • Holding books or devices too close
  • Complaints of headaches or blurry vision
  • Poor performance in school or difficulty focusing
  • Misaligned eyes (crossed or turned eyes)

If you notice any of these signs, schedule an eye exam promptly.  Learn more: Myopia (Nearsightedness): Symptoms, Progression, and Treatments

Our general eye consultation for children includes:

  • Medical history review
  • Visual acuity test
  • Refraction test
  • Eye alignment and movement test
  • Slit-lamp examination
  • Biometry (Eye size measurement)
  • Color vision test (when needed)
  • All relevant prescriptions (glasses, medication) and a medical report
  • Detailed Consultation with our experienced European ophthalmologists to discuss results and recommendations.

Diagnosing these conditions requires retinoscopy and the use of cyclopentolate eye drops to inhibit the eye’s accommodation, which takes about 45-60 minutes to take effect. Comprehensive eye examination service helps to detect early most diseases such as strabismus, conjunctivitis, amblyopia,… and provide timely treatment plans.

  • Expert care by Dr. JD Ferwerda, a Dutch ophthalmologist with 30+ years of experience
  • Specialized services like ROP treatment, myopia treatments, and more
  • A child-friendly environment with modern diagnostic tools
  • Personalized, compassionate care tailored to each child’s needs

An exam usually takes about 45-60 minutes, especially if eye drops (like cyclopentolate) are needed to relax the eye’s focusing mechanism.

Yes, we use child-friendly tools and techniques to make exams comfortable and engaging while obtaining accurate results. Diagnosing these conditions often requires procedures like skiascopy, which demand extra time and skilled handling. To obtain an accurate reading of your child’s eye focusing power, cyclopentolate drops are used to prevent focusing.

Absolutely! We offer comprehensive eye care for both local and expat families. Our staff speaks English, and Dr. JD Ferwerda’s European expertise ensures the highest standard of care.

Strabismus is treatable through a combination of glasses, eye exercises, and in some cases, specialized treatments. Early intervention is key to improving eye alignment and preventing vision loss.

Myopia progression can be managed with treatments like Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), special myopia-control glasses, and lifestyle changes such as reducing screen time and encouraging outdoor activities.

Eye clinics provide comprehensive eye care that goes beyond just checking for glasses. At an eye clinic like European Eye Center, experienced ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions, including issues that may not be obvious, such as lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed eyes (strabismus), and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). We also use advanced diagnostic tools to assess your child’s overall eye health and visual development.

Optical stores typically focus on fitting glasses and may not have the specialized equipment or medical expertise to detect and manage complex eye conditions. For a thorough evaluation and the best care for your child’s vision, visiting an eye clinic ensures early detection, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

Learn more: Eye Exam at an Eye Clinic vs. Vision Test at an Optical Store: What’s the Difference and Where Should You Go?

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