Patient information
On your first visit, you will meet with several members of our team, which may include some or all of the following people: Orthoptist, Ophthalmic Imager, Ophthalmology Fellows and Residents, an Ophthalmologist. Each specialist will meet with you and your child individually to review your child's medical history and perform physical exams.
- You will receive an automated reminder prior to your appointment.
- Please ensure you arrive at least 15 minutes early.
- If you are unable to make the appointment, please contact us asap to re-schedule; coming late or not showing up impacts the specialist team and other patients.
Please note: Visits to our clinic usually last from one to three hours. Please ensure you and your child are adequately prepared to stay for at least two hours (food, drinks, toys, etc.)
We advocate for and provide help to Indigenous families who are visiting the hospital. For example, Indigenous Patient Navigators offer in-hospital assistance to improve the quality of health care delivery to Indigenous patients through direct patient support and staff education. To learn more about available Indigenous supports, please visit: http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/support-services/indigenous-patient-liaison
Preparing your child for surgery can help make things run more smoothly. Please see BC Children's Hospital Procedures and Surgical Services for more information. You may also find this handout helpful, which includes the general fasting guidelines: Anesthetic Care Unit.pdf
Learn more:
A cataract is a lens opacity that can be congenital (born with it) or acquired. Surgeries vary according to age of presentation. Sometimes it can involve insertion of a replacement lens or intraocular lens, at the same operation. This depends on the age of the patient and the size of the eye. Glasses or a contact lenses are usually required post operatively. It is important to have an early diagnosis to have the best treatment.
For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout:
Enucleation is performed in severe trauma or in cancer cases. It consists of removing the eye, which is then replaced with a "ball". Ultimately, after the operation, an artificial eye is made to match the other eye and fitted specifically for the patient's eye socket.
For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout:
When a full examination is not possible with a patient in the clinic setting, an examination of the eyes under anesthesia is arranged. The eyes are dilated before the procedure and a full exam is done with the patient asleep. Sometimes extra tests are done at the same time such as an ultrasound or angiogram (dye test to look at retinal vessels).
For information on how to care for your child after the procedure, please see the following handout:
Eyelid surgery is composed of a variety of procedures that include, but are not limited to: lid laceration repair (trauma), ptosis (droopy eyelid), coloboma repair (congenital malformation were the eyelid has a notch) and tarsorrhaphy (to help eyelid closure).
For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout:
Glaucoma valve surgery consists of placing a valve on the surface of the eye and inserting a tube into the eye which will help drainage of fluid from the eye. This helps lower the intraocular pressure and prevent optic nerve damage, once the intraocular pressure is controlled.
For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout:
Goniotomy is a type of glaucoma surgery focused on opening up the drainage system of the eye. This helps lower the intraocular pressure and prevent optic nerve damage, once the intraocular pressure is controlled.
For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout:
The retina is a complex tissue lining the back of the eye. It enables us to see by transmitting what we see via electric impulses, which deliver the picture to the brain. Surgery can be performed for retinal detachments, injuries including foreign bodies and vitreous hemorrhages (blood in the cavity of the eye).
For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout:
Strabismus surgery is surgery on the extraocular muscles (muscles surrounding the eye). It consists of moving the muscles (weakening or strengthening) to align the eyes (straighten). In some cases, part of the surgery is done awake/when the patient has awoken from the general anesthetic to adjust the muscles further with local anesthetic.
For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout and link:
Our dedicated and highly experienced team of health care professionals work diligently to provide a safe, compassionate and healing environment to our patients and their families.
Please note: BC Children's Hospital is a teaching hospital.
Our patients may be seen by a trainee prior to seeing the ophthalmologist. We are grateful to each patient, physician, and staff member for their generous participation and for sharing their knowledge and experience.
See below for two examples of patient journeys.
How to prepare for your visit
On the day of your appointment please remember to:
- Bring your child's Care Card
- Allow time to find parking.
- Check in with reception before your appointment time.
- Bring all glasses worn for distance or reading.
- Consider bringing a hat or sunglasses to help with light sensitivity caused by dilated pupils.
- Bring snacks or activities for your child.
- Allow for up to 3 hours for your appointment
What to expect
During your appointment you may be tested for things such as: visual acuity, eye movements, double vision or have measurements taken of any eye misalignment.
Please help us to stay on schedule and arrive on time. If you are running late or need to cancel your appointment, please call our clinic.
Expect to have someone try to make you smile and feel at ease.
Appointments in our clinic can be lengthy; please come prepared. You may be in our clinic for approximately one to three hours.
- We are a teaching facility, the doctor is on call & you or your child's eyes may be dilated. Dilating drops can take up to 40 minutes to take affect.
- Due to the nature of treating a pediatric population, we cannot foresee how long appointments may take.
- The doctor will take as long as needed with each patient, including you or your child, to ensure everyone has the best care possible.
For all of the above-mentioned reasons, we appreciate your patience and understanding.
Bring snacks and entertainment and please plan accordingly.
If you need to cancel
If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible (at least 48 hours ahead of time, if you can) so that your appointment time can be used by another patient.
If your child has an infection
If your child has been in contact with any infectious diseases (such as chicken pox or measles) during the three weeks before your appointment, please let us know immediately. We might need to reschedule your appointment.
If you need an interpreter
The Ophthalmology Department has on-demand video interpreter services. Please let Registration know when you arrive if you would like an interpreter.
