eye Archives - Resource Library - Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Both our eyes and brain are responsible for helping us to see. Our eyes collect pieces of visual information from our surroundings and our brain puts them together to form an image, a bit like putting pieces of a jigsaw together. How does prematurity affect my child’s vision? Babies who are born...

What is myopia? Myopia (short sightedness) is a condition that causes distance objects to be blurred, while close objects are seen clearly. Myopia can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or laser eye surgery in adults. Approximately 1 in 3 people are myopic. Symptoms usually appear in older...

It is important that you fit your prism in the correct orientation so please check the prism for where it is marked ‘BASE‘. In your case the prism needs to be positioned BASE OUT. This means that the part marked BASE needs to be positioned towards the arm of the glasses. You can also...

It is important that you fit your prism in the correct orientation so please check the prism for where it is marked ‘BASE‘. In your case the prism needs to be positioned ‘base in’. This means that the part marked ‘base’ needs to be positioned towards the nose...

What is a stereogram exercise? It is an exercise for  your child’s eyes to help them work together as a pair more effectively. This can prevent headaches or double vision. A stereogram is 2 incomplete images which you join to make 1 complete image. How do I use it? Hold a pen or target at…...

What is a stereogram exercise? It is an exercise for  your child’s eyes to help them work together as a pair more effectively. This can prevent headaches or double vision. A stereogram is 2 incomplete images which you join to make 1 complete image. How do I use it? Hold a pen or target at…...

What is astigmatism? Astigmatism, pronounced ‘ah-stig-mah-tism’, is a type of refractive error, like longsightedness (hypermetropia) and short sightedness (myopia). Refractive error means that the light coming into the eye cannot be properly focused because of the size or shape of the...

What is uveitis? The ‘uve’ in uveitis describes the uveal tract, which includes: the iris (the coloured part of the eye at the front of the eye) the ciliary body (the ring of muscle behind the iris) the choroid (the layer of tissue lining the inside of the eye behind the retina) Uveitis...

This resource is intended to explain the importance of attending eye screening appointments following a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Why do we offer eye screening to children with a diagnosis of JIA? Some children with JIA will also get inflammation in their eyes. Unfortunately,...

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...

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 is sometimes called ‘lazy eye’. This can happen intermittently or all of the time. Some squints appear obvious when looking into the distance...

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...

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. 1. Use tablet or liquid soap and rub onto your palms. 2. Rub your palms together working up a lather. 3. Slip your...

How do I put in contact lens? 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 carers are scared of...

The eye department is located on A floor in Sheffield Children’s Hospital. When you come to your appointment, you will be greeted by a receptionist who will ask you to check in. You will then be called in by the orthoptist for your appointment. Vision test It is important for us to test each...

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. This retinitis pigmentosa resource will explain: The way the eyes and brain normally work to make ‘vision’ The reason why vision may become...

This resource about coloboma will explain: The way the 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...

Contact lenses are an alternative to glasses. They are safe to use with the correct guidance and may be the best treatment option for your child. Will my child be uncomfortable wearing contact lenses? There are different types of contact lenses. The first lenses that will be fitted to your child’s...

How do I clean and disinfect contact lenses? You lenses will need to be cleaned and disinfected overnight after you have worn them. You will be given enough cleaning solutions by Sheffield Children’s but if you  run out you can buy more supplies from a local opticians or chemist. For both soft...

Why does my child need atropine eye drops? Atropine has been prescribed to your child to let an eye care specialist to check the back of your child’s eyes and to see if they need glasses. Atropine drops or ointment may be used when: a child has particularly dark irises (the coloured part of...

Why are eye drops needed? Eye drops are needed to dilate (enlarge) your child’s pupil (the central black part of the eye) so the optometrist (ophthalmic optician) or doctor (ophthalmologist) can see through the pupil and examine the back of the eye. Are there any alternatives? There are no...

Why does my child need eye drops? Eye drops are required to enlarge your child’s pupil (the black part of the eye) so the optometrist (ophthalmic optician) or doctor (ophthalmologist) can see through the pupil and examine the back of the eye and to determine if glasses are needed. What effects do...