Eye Department Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Resource Library - Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

What is the optic nerve? The optic nerve transmits images from the light sensitive layer (retina) at the back of the eye to the brain. The brain interprets these messages so you can see. What is the optic disc? The optic disc is the point at which the optic nerve joins the eye. This is…...

What is vision screening? NHS Sheffield has designed a service for vision screening as children begin primary school. This service takes on the UK National Screening Committee recommendations. An orthoptist, a specialist in testing children’s eyes, from Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust,...

My child has just been diagnosed with a visual impairment, what do we do now? When your child is diagnosed with a visual impairment it can be a difficult and overwhelming time. We aim to answer as many questions as possible at your appointment, however it is likely that when you leave the hospital...

What is convergence insufficiency? Convergence insufficiency is the inability or lack of ability to keep the eyes straight when reading or doing close work. The eyes tend to drift outwards causing double vision. Trying to control the double vision can lead to headaches, blurred vision, difficulty...

The purpose of this resource is to describe: The way the eyes and brain normally work to give ‘vision’ The reason why vision may become impaired by toxoplasmosis The cause of toxoplasmosis The effects of toxoplasmosis on a child’s vision How toxoplasmosis is diagnosed What can be...

What is the normal structure of the eye? The eye is made of three parts. A light focussing bit at the front (cornea and lens). A light sensitive film at the back of the eye (retina). A large collection of communication wires to the brain (optic nerve). A curved window called the cornea first...

Your child has been found to have an eye condition called ‘intermittent exotropia’ at their school vision screening test. This is nothing to worry about and we will explain more about this condition in this resource. What is the school vision screening test? All children in Sheffield are...

What is a squint? A squint is when one eye appears straight and the other turns in, out, up or down. To make this better, you will need an operation. You will have to go to sleep for this. What will happen on the day of surgery? When you arrive at the surgical theatre you… Continue Reading...

What is anisocoria? Anisocoria is a difference in the pupil size between the eyes. The iris regulates the amount of light entering the eye by enlarging or shrinking the pupil size. In normal eyes this will happen equally in each eye. Below is an example of a small right pupil and a larger one...

What is albinism? Albinism is a condition that affects melanin production. Melanin is a dark brown pigment that gives colour to hair, skin and the eyes, it is a condition people are born with. People with albinism produce less or no melanin and have very pale skin and hair. There are many different...

What is a low vision aid (LVA) clinic? This clinic aims to show your child how to use a range of different low vision aids, such as magnifier and binoculars. Low vision aids can help a visually impaired child with many activities, such as reading and writing. If your child finds a low vision...

What is a squint? A squint where the eyes do not align as normal. One eye appears straight and the other eye drifts in a different direction. This can happen intermittently or all of the time. Some squints appear obvious when looking into the distance or close up, while others are the same at...

A blocked tear duct is a fairly common. Tear ducts are like tiny tubes that your tears pass through. They are part of the drainage system that goes from your eyes to your throat. A blocked tear duct happens when your nasal passageways in your nose become blocked and cannot properly drain tear liquid...

What is a cataract? A congenital cataract is a cataract that appears when a baby is born or shortly afterwards. A cataract can happen in one or in both eyes. A developmental cataract is one that develops after a few months or years after birth. A cataract is when the lens in the eye becomes…...

What is the visual impairment (VI) telephone consultation clinic? When your child is diagnosed with a visual impairment, we understand it can be a difficult and overwhelming time. We will try to answer all of your questions at your appointment, but you may have more questions or concerns when you...

Where is the ophthalmology department in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital? The ophthalmology department is on A floor and can be accessed from its own entrance on A road (opposite the multi storey car park). If you wish to speak to someone before coming to the hospital or have some special...

What is a squint? A squint is a misalignment of the eyes where one eye appears straight and the other eye drifts in a different direction. This can happen intermittently or all of the time. Some squints appear larger when looking into the distance or close up, while others are the same at all...

Washing hands Clean hands are very important when touching and handling your contact lenses. It will help to stop infections and germs from getting into your eyes and making them sore. Remember It does not take much time to clean your hands well. You must get into the habit of washing your hands...

A general anaesthetic means that your child will be given medicine to put them to sleep. They will not feel or remember the treatment. It can take up to 24 hours to recover from the effects of a general anaesthetic. What should I do? Please arrange for transport for your child to go home...

What is pseudo-strabismus? When the eyes are not in line with each other this is known as strabismus. This is more commonly called a squint. Pseudo-strabismus is the appearance that the eyes are not in line with each other even though the eyes are normally aligned. Pseudo-strabismus is caused by...

What is aniridia? Very rarely before a baby is born, not all of the eye develops as it should. If the iris does not grow then this is known as aniridia. In some children only some parts of the iris is affected and the condition is called ‘partial’ aniridia. What is the cause of aniridia?…...

How do I put contact lens in my child’s eye? The instructions for inserting and removing the lenses sound very complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it will get easier. These instructions are simply to remind you what you were taught in the contact lens clinic. Almost all parents and...

This information is not a substitute for a consultation with a health professional and should not to be used as a means of diagnosing a condition. Rod and cone photoreceptors At the back of the eye, the retina is made up of rods and cones. The central bit of the retina is made up of… Continue...

This resource has been written to explain: the way our eyes and brain normally work to make ‘vision’ the reason why vision may become impaired by a specific condition the cause of the condition the effects of the condition on the child’s vision how the condition is diagnosed what...