Ophthalmology

The Ophthalmology Department at Riley at IU Health offers comprehensive care and early detection for children with all types of eye conditions and visual impairments, from sight problems that are easily treated with glasses, to complex conditions that require sophisticated surgical procedures. Whether your child needs a routine check-up or advanced evaluation and treatment for a serious eye condition, we have the expertise to care for every need.

Our pediatric ophthalmology program is the only one of its kind in Indiana, and is staffed by a team of technicians, optometrists and board certified, fellowship trained pediatric ophthalmologists—physicians that bring advanced eye care to children through an extra tier of intensive training that goes well beyond a standard medical education.

World-Class Eye Care, Customized for Children

Every member of our team has a special set of skills designed to manage children’s eye care, which is distinct from adult care. Pediatric eye specialists have the skills and technology to objectively evaluate children of all ages and developmental stages, regardless of their ability to communicate what they see.

Our eye specialists welcome families in a child-friendly environment where children are recognized and respected for their unique needs. Although children have many of the same conditions as adults, they are affected quite differently by them—and have a different set of health and anatomical factors that require pediatric expertise. Eye specialists at Riley at IU Health have detailed knowledge of children’s developing visual systems. We bring intricate skills to every child’s evaluation, diagnosis and treatment—all of which require an approach that is different from adult care.

While we are specially trained to care for children with the most challenging eye conditions or trauma, Riley at IU Health eye specialists also serve a much broader population of kids with less complex needs, including children who need contact lenses and glasses or those who fail school vision screening.

Occasionally, a suspected issue with a child’s vision is actually a learning or reading disability. As part of a larger multidisciplinary team at Riley at IU Health, our eye specialists are trained to distinguish vision problems from learning problems, so children can be directed to proper care and treatment. We can also coordinate care with pediatric healthcare providers who can address each child’s learning or reading disability. When our physicians identify a condition that does not need ophthalmologic care, we guide families to evidenced-based care that is recognized for delivering positive outcomes for children.

Innovative Care That Includes Adults

Riley at IU Health ophthalmologists provide care for adults with eye muscle disorders (strabismus) or double vision. Many adults do not realize that there are new options for repairing eye muscle imbalances and other conditions that were once untreatable. As part of a healthcare system that is steeped in research and innovation, pediatric ophthalmologists at Riley at IU Health offer advanced treatment options not available elsewhere—for children and adults. Our physicians are active researchers who advance standard eye care options through clinical trials that study new methods of treatment and diagnosis.

Experienced Leaders in Pediatric Ophthalmology

At Riley at IU Health, your child receives care from the most experienced specialists in the field of ophthalmology. Our ophthalmologists train the next generation of pediatric eye specialists and hold national and international leadership roles in pediatric ophthalmology through professional associations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and the International Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Council. Our team is also widely published in peer-reviewed medical journals and texts that are used to train medical students, residents and fellows.

Optical Shop

Glasses, contacts and a full range of optical services are offered through a collaborative arrangement with an onsite optical shop, which serves children of all ages. All Riley at IU Health patients are free to select the optical vendor of their preference. To contact the optical shop, call 317.944.8389.