Brief Description: The orthoptist working in a pediatric ophthalmology practice must be able to recognize when a presenting sign or symptom is an indicator of serious underlying neuro-ophthalmic disease warranting further investigation. Signs such as new onset strabismus, nystagmus, or symptoms such as decreased vision may clinically resemble childhood-onset horizontal strabismus, idiopathic infantile nystagmus, or amblyopia, when in fact they are markers of nervous system maldevelopment, dysfunction, or degeneration. There are some unique neuro-ophthalmic disorders that are only found in infants and children. There are also others that have no age boundaries but present differently in the pediatric clinic population.

This course will begin with a review of the pediatric neuro-ophthalmic orthoptic exam. It will continue with a discussion on the most common as well as the most serious pediatric neuro-ophthalmic conditions that the orthoptist may encounter. These conditions include cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, congenital disc malformations, phakomatoses, and childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorders.

Declaration of Financial Interest: None