The right practice for clear vision: How to find the perfect ophthalmologist for your child

The health of our children is important to us, of course. However, the check-ups and preventive examinations relating to eye health are often rather poor. There is little room for this in the regular check-ups and, compared to general health education, the information on the importance of eye health in children is often patchy. Parents therefore often simply do not know enough about the risks of undetected visual impairments. In addition, children are often unable to recognise and name vision problems themselves, as they do not know exactly what good vision should feel like.

But regardless of whether the little ones are still curiously exploring the world on all fours or are already in the middle of their school day, good eye care is essential. Around one in ten children have poor eyesight, although visual impairments are very easy to treat, especially at a young age. A visit to the ophthalmologist can quickly bring unnoticed visual impairments to light.

Here we show you how easy it is to find a great ophthalmologist for your child's eye care or treatment.

1. Act early: Let's go for a vision check

It's best to start the "eye health" mission for your child early. You can plan a visit to a pediatric ophthalmologist as early as the sixth month of life - especially if you or the other parent suffers from poor eyesight.

Early detection and treatment of vision problems can have a lifelong positive impact on your child's learning ability, social development and general well-being. Parents, caregivers and educational institutions should therefore work together to raise awareness of the importance of eye health in children and promote regular eye examinations.

Of course, the same applies here: It is never too late to plan a visit to an ophthalmologist's office with your child. You can read at what age and for what symptoms a visit is recommended in this article .

2. The search: recommendations, search engines, reviews

Where should you start looking for a suitable practice? Often the best tips are those you get from other parents. Just ask your friends, family or colleagues about their experiences with pediatric ophthalmologists. Direct recommendations are worth a lot.

Also read the reviews and testimonials of other parents about the eye doctor's practice. Positive feedback from other parents can be a good sign of the quality of care or at least a good starting point for research.

The common search engines should provide you with a list of ophthalmologists who specialize in treating children. There are also online directories for medical professionals where you can search for ophthalmologists for children. Some popular directories are "Jameda", "DocInsider" or "Sanego".

Alternatively, ask your pediatrician for a recommendation or check whether there are any children's hospitals or medical centers nearby that have a pediatric eye department. You can also use the ophthalmologist finder at the “Professional Association of Ophthalmologists in Germany”.

3. Empathic, patient, experienced: Which doctors are good?

A good pediatric ophthalmologist should be empathetic, patient and, of course, child-friendly. He or she should have the ability to adapt to children's needs and explain examinations and treatments to them in an understandable and reassuring manner. A knack for dealing with small fears is also practical.

Good ophthalmologists also have a holistic approach to eye health and pay attention not only to the symptoms but also to the long-term development of vision.

The more experience pediatric ophthalmologists have, the better they can identify and treat various eye problems in children. Therefore, check the training and qualifications of the ophthalmologist. She should have specialized training in pediatrics and ophthalmology. Memberships in medical societies can also be a sign of expertise.

4. Fun factor included: child-friendly practice

Sure, a visit to the doctor isn't always a highlight. But if the practice is child-friendly and the staff has a smile on their face, that can make a difference. After all, your little darling should feel comfortable here! So check whether there is a play area or whether the atmosphere is inviting.

The future clearly in sight

Your child's eyes deserve the best care, we can all agree on that, right? Finding the perfect pediatric ophthalmologist may seem like a challenge, but with recommendations, a child-friendly atmosphere, and expertise, you'll definitely find the right practice for you.

Ultimately, you should pay attention to how comfortable your child feels with the ophthalmologist and whether you, as a parent, have confidence in his or her abilities. The decision as to whether pediatric ophthalmologists are good should be based on a combination of these factors. We wish you the best of luck in your search.