Ophthalmology
The faculty of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Service is internationally known for providing outstanding comprehensive care to children with eye problems. As both physicians and surgeons, we offer a range of clinical services from general eye examinations to the diagnosis and surgical treatment of complex eye diseases. In addition, we are actively involved in research to improve our treatments and prevent these disorders in the future.
Treatments
We provide services for a wide variety of pediatric ophthalmic diseases such as:
- eye muscle problems (strabismus),
- lazy eye (amblyopia),
- droopy lids (ptosis),
- jerky or wiggly eyes (nystagmus), and
- hazy lens (cataracts)
These patients are referred to our state-of-the-art pediatric eye care facility.
The faculty has special expertise in intraocular lens implantation for cataracts, the treatment of ocular tumors (retinoblastoma, hemangioma), eye abnormalities resulting from brain dysfunction (pediatric neuro-ophthalmology) and prematurity (retinopathy of prematurity), and, is one of the few centers in the nation with a particular interest in treatment of high eye pressure in children (congenital glaucoma).
The pediatric ophthalmology service offers the expert services of orthoptists. Orthoptists are trained in diagnostic techniques, clinical interpretation and nonsurgical treatment of eye muscle problems. In addition, they provide assessment of visual function in the preverbal child through a technique called "preferential looking."
Diagnostic Tests
Some commonly performed procedures/diagnostic tests:
- Electrophysiologic testing is available to evaluate disorders of the retina. Such tests as electroretinograms which are used to assess rod and cone function of the retina are routinely performed.
- Visual field testing through automated machines can help diagnose abnormalities of the visual pathways in the brain.
- Automated refraction devices quickly determine the type of glasses needed to see clearly in children with minimal cooperation required.
Disease-Specific Programs
We are part of the Duke Children's team and have multidisciplinary programs to handle problems that extend beyond the eye such as:
- Retinoblastoma (eye cancer) - ophthalmology, radiation oncology, pediatric hematology/oncology, genetics
- Neurofibromatosis - ophthalmology, neurology, neurosurgery, genetics
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - ophthalmology, rheumatology
- Marfan's syndrome - genetics, neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology
- Down's syndrome - genetics, ophthalmology, cardiology, orthopaedics
Physicians
| Name | Areas of Special Interest |
|---|---|
| Edward G. Buckley, MD | Strabismus, amblyopia, congenital cataracts, intraocular lens implants, retinoblastoma, pediatric neuro-ophthalmology, retinopathy of prematurity, ptosis, nystagmus, optic nerve disorders, genetic eye disease, ocular tumors, congenital glaucoma, third, fourth, and sixth nerve palsies |
| Sharon F. Freedman, MD | Congenital and childhood glaucoma, strabismus, congenital cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity, ocular motility disorders due to cranial nerve palsies |
| Terri L. Young, MD | Ophthalmic genetics, pediatric eye disease including pediatric cataracts and the surgical correction of eye misalignment (strabismus) in children and adults, founding Director of the Ophthalmic Genetics Pediatric Clinic |
Clinic Hours and Location
Duke Eye CenterDurham, NC 27710
Tel: 919-681-3937
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
