Children Eye Specialist in Malad, Mumbai — Sentra Clinic
Children's eyes are not simply small adult eyes — they are actively developing visual systems where early problems, if missed, can cause permanent vision loss. At Sentra Clinic, Malad East, Dr. Shraddha Surekha leads our paediatric eye care programme, bringing a calm, patient approach to examining even very young children. From school vision screenings to the management of amblyopia (lazy eye), squint (strabismus) and rapidly progressing myopia, our team provides the full range of paediatric ophthalmic care.
The most important message for parents: childhood vision problems are silent. A child with a lazy eye in one eye may seem to see fine — because the other eye compensates. The window for treating amblyopia closes by age 7–9. Regular eye checks from age 3 onward are not optional — they are essential.
👶 Children's vision is time-sensitive. Early checks save sight.
Paediatric Eye Conditions We Treat
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
One eye develops weaker vision because the brain suppresses its input — typically due to a large difference in prescription between the two eyes, or a squint. Treatment involves correcting the refractive error with glasses and patching the stronger eye to force the weaker one to develop. Must be treated before age 7–9 for full recovery.
Strabismus (Squint)
The eyes are misaligned — one or both eyes turn inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), upward or downward. In children, squint causes amblyopia if not treated early. Treatment: glasses, prisms, patching or squint surgery depending on the type and severity. Dr. Shraddha evaluates squint comprehensively before recommending surgery.
Paediatric Refractive Errors
Myopia (short-sight), hyperopia (long-sight) and astigmatism are common in school-age children. We perform cycloplegic refraction (pupil-dilated glasses check) to get the accurate prescription for children — as their eyes can compensate for hyperopia without dilation, leading to under-correction. Spectacle dispensing guidance and frame selection for children is part of our service.
Myopia Control
Progressive myopia in children — a –1 number becoming –3, then –5 — is a serious public health issue. At Sentra, we offer myopia control strategies including orthokeratology lenses (worn overnight), atropine drops and myopia control spectacle lenses (Stellest, MiyoSmart) that have strong evidence for slowing myopia progression in children.
Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC)
Severe eye allergy predominantly affecting boys aged 5–25 in tropical climates. Giant papillae, intense itching and ropy discharge. Aggressive rubbing causes keratoconus. Dr. Shraddha has extensive experience managing VKC with cyclosporin drops and comprehensive allergen avoidance protocols.
Paediatric Glaucoma & Rare Conditions
Congenital glaucoma, paediatric cataracts (cloudiness of the lens in a child), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature babies, and other rare paediatric eye conditions. We evaluate and manage these with close parental communication and referrals to tertiary care when needed.
Signs Your Child May Have an Eye Problem
- Sitting very close to the television or holding books/tablets very near the face
- Squinting or closing one eye to see better
- Tilting or turning the head to one side when looking at something
- Rubbing eyes frequently (especially in bright light)
- Visible eye turn — one or both eyes looking in a different direction
- Headaches or eyestrain complaints, especially after school
- Difficulty reading — losing their place on a line, skipping lines
- Poor performance at school despite adequate effort
- Sensitivity to bright light (photophobia)
- White or yellowish reflection in one eye in flash photographs (leukocoria — requires urgent evaluation)
The Paediatric Eye Examination at Sentra — What to Expect
- Age-appropriate visual acuity testing: Tumbling E charts for pre-literate children, Lea symbols for toddlers, standard Snellen for school-age children. We test each eye separately and together.
- Cover test for squint detection: A simple test using an occluder that reveals even small-angle squints the parent hasn't noticed.
- Cycloplegic refraction: Pupil-dilating drops (takes 45 minutes to work) allow accurate measurement of the child's true glasses requirement — children can accommodate away a significant hyperopic error without dilation.
- Slit-lamp examination: Checking the anterior segment for corneal pathology, lens clarity (cataract), and signs of anterior uveitis.
- Dilated fundus examination: Retinal examination under dilation — essential in children with high myopia, suspected glaucoma, or any suspicion of a posterior segment problem.
What Parents Say
"My 5-year-old daughter's kindergarten teacher noticed she was squinting. Dr. Shraddha found she had amblyopia — 6/6 in one eye and 6/60 in the other. We started patching immediately. After 4 months of diligent patching, her lazy eye improved to 6/18 and is still improving. Dr. Shraddha's patience with my daughter (and with anxious parents like me) is exceptional."
— Priyanka Shah, Kandivali East · Amblyopia Treatment in a 5-Year-Old"My son was –1.50 at 8 years. By 9, he was –2.50. I was worried about progressive myopia leading to high numbers. Dr. Shraddha explained myopia control and started him on MiyoSmart spectacle lenses. His progression this year was only –0.25. The myopia control approach has genuinely worked — I wish I'd known about it sooner."
— Suresh Nair, Borivali West · Myopia Control with MiyoSmart LensesFrequently Asked Questions — Paediatric Eye Care
At what age should a child have their first eye examination?
The first eye check should be at age 3 (or earlier if any concern), then before starting school (age 5–6), then annually through school years. Children with a family history of squint, amblyopia, high myopia or other hereditary eye conditions should be checked earlier and more frequently.
My child was prescribed glasses but refuses to wear them — what should I do?
In children, glasses are prescribed for medical reasons — not just for seeing sharply. In amblyopia and accommodative esotropia, glasses are the treatment, not merely a visual aid. A child who refuses glasses needs to be counselled firmly by the parent — and we provide written guidance at Sentra Clinic on how to manage this at home. Frame choice, fit and adjustment also matter enormously for children's compliance.
Can myopia in children be stopped from progressing?
Myopia cannot be cured, but its progression can be significantly slowed. Evidence-based strategies include: orthokeratology (overnight rigid lenses), low-dose atropine drops (0.01–0.05%), myopia control spectacle lenses (Stellest, MiyoSmart), and increasing outdoor time (2+ hours daily has the strongest population-level evidence). Dr. Shraddha selects the strategy based on the child's age, rate of progression and compliance likelihood.
Does my child need glasses if they have amblyopia?
Almost always yes — glasses correct the refractive error that often underlies amblyopia, allowing the lazy eye a clear image to work with. Patching without glasses in a child with a refractive amblyopia gives poor results. The glasses and patching work together — the glasses provide the clear image, the patch forces the lazy eye to process it.
👶 Early eye checks protect your child's future vision.
