Patient Information
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:
Cataract Surgery discharge form final.pdf
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:
Enucleation Surgery discharge form final.pdf
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:
Examination of Eyes Under Anesthesia.pdf
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:
Eyelid Surgery discharge form final.pdf
Glaucoma value 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:
Glaucoma valve discharge form final.pdf
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:
Goniotomy discharge form final.pdf
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:
Retina Surgery discharge form.pdf
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:
Strabusmus Surgery Discharge form.pdf
Strabismus HealthBC Link
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Our dedicated and highly experienced team of healthcare 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 been 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!
On the day of your appointment please remember to:
- Bring You 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
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 lengthily, please come prepared. You may be in our clinic for aproximatley 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, your patience and understanding is appreciated.
Brings snacks and entertainment and please plan accordingly.
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 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.
The Opthalmology Department has on demand video interpreter services. Please let registration know when you arrive if you would like an interpreter.
