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If your child has
an eye problem,
relatively common childhood condition.
the pediatric
Amblyopia or "lazy eye" can be caused by strabismus, a
misalignment of the two eyes, or when one eye is more nearsighted, specialists at the
more farsighted, or has more astigmatism. With amblyopia, each to help her weaker eye,” he said.
eye sends a different visual image to the brain, which soon learns to “As a result, Tessa has gone Naples facility
ignore the image from the weaker eye. from very poor vision to almost have extensive
"Tessa’s eyes were crossing due to a large amount of farsightedness,” normal – 20/20 in her left eye
said McKeown. “It’s a condition that can be hard to detect unless it and 20/25 in her right eye. It’s training and
is picked up in a vision-screening test. But if nothing had been done, very rewarding for us to help experience in these
Tessa would have wound up with permanent damage to that eye." Tessa see so much better." conditions.
McKeown advises parents, grandparents and teachers to Villegas says the Southwest
watch for anything unusual in a young child's vision. "If you see an Florida community benefits
infant or youngster’s eyes turning off center or looking in different from having a pediatric ophthalmology team at Bascom Palmer
directions, get an eye examination right away. Many vision problems Eye Institute at Naples – an arm of the University of Miami Miller
can be corrected at an early age before there is lasting damage." School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology.
Because Tessa was used to focusing with her left eye, “Our institute provides clinical care to young patients, and
McKeown said steps were needed to strengthen her weaker right conducts leading-edge research into childhood blinding diseases,”
eye. “He told Tessa to wear her glasses all the time, along with a he said. “We also provide convenient follow-up care for young
patch over her left eye for two hours a day, except on her birthday,” patients who go to our Miami facility for eye surgery, so they don’t
said Resch. “She followed his instructions faithfully, and is now have to keep driving back and forth.”
wearing the patch just an hour day. Her vision has improved so Tessa’s parents definitely agree. “If your child has an eye problem,
much, her patch may be able to come off later this year.” the pediatric specialists at the Naples facility have extensive training
Victor M. Villegas, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmologist and experience in these conditions. There is no question in our
at the Naples facility, has managed Tessa's condition for the past minds that Bascom Palmer is the best for place for vision care for
year. "Along with the patches, we adjusted her glasses prescription patients of all ages.”

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Life in Naples | March 2017 65