Paediatric ophthalmology is the care of children and young people with eye and visual problems. Our ophthalmology service specialises in the assessment and management of eye disease and disorders of visual development in children, and we see more than 17,000 patients each year.
If you are coming to visit us at the eye clinic, you can watch this video to find out more about what you can expect:
Our experienced team uses the very latest diagnostic equipment and techniques to care for patients with a range of common eye and visual problems like a squint, to more severe problems like cataracts, glaucoma or retinal detachment which occur particularly as a result of premature birth and eye tumours. We are part of the Alder Hey division of Surgical Care.
Our services
- Diagnosis and treatment of strabismus (squint: when one eye is not aligned with the other)
- Investigation, diagnosis and management of binocular vision problems
- Investigation, diagnosis and management of refractive errors
- Treatment of amblyopia (e.g. patching or eye drops)
- Congenital Cataract
- Craniofacial clinic
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Uveitis screening and treatment
- Low vision services
- Contact Lens services
- Dry/watery eye service
- Electro-diagnostic testing
- Visual field testing
- Ocular Coherence Tomography
Referral info
Patients can be referred to us from other Ophthalmology departments or specialities, GP services, school nurses, health visitors and community Optometrists, amongst others.
If you have concerns and feel your child needs referral to our service, please contact your GP, health visitor or school nurse.
Contact Us
If you are already a patient and you need to contact us, please call one of the below numbers:
If you have an appointment you need to rearrange or cancel, please contact our Appointment Centre.
Our Ophthalmology department is based in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Outpatients level 2.2.
Our department has support from a designated Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO), who offers advice and practical and emotional support to patients with sight loss. Our clinicians can refer children who may benefit from this service and can discuss this with you in your clinic appointment. Please get in touch with the department if this is something you feel your child would benefit from.
Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs) | RNIB
Ophthalmology in the community
We also offer community clinics in the following locations:
Our departmental values:
1. Always ensure our patient experience is a positive one.
2. Ensure clinics start and run-on time to the best of our abilities.
3. Work as a team.
4. Inform patient’s family: What will happen during appointment, diagnosis, and future management. Communication is Key!
5. Treat patients, families and colleagues the way I would like my family and I to be treated.
FAQs:
What is the difference between an Orthoptist and an Optometrist?
Orthoptists diagnose and treat defects in eye movement and binocular vision (how the eyes work together as a pair). They may provide treatment including eye patches to treat amblyopia (reduced vision), exercises or prisms, and work alongside optometrists and ophthalmologists to assess children’s visual development. They are also involved in the care of patients with neurological conditions such as brain tumours or multiple sclerosis.
Optometrists examine and diagnose eye disease, injuries, or other disorders, and carry out glasses tests (refractions). Optometrists can prescribe glasses or contact lenses for children who need them and work closely with orthoptists and ophthalmologists to treat a range of eye or vision disorders. Our optometrists also provide a low-vision service.