Questions about your children's vision?
E-mail questions to PediEyeDoc@kelsey-seybold.com. Dr. Madhuri Chilakapati will try to answer as many as possible. Click here to read the most recent Q&A.

Childhood Eye Problems: This Mom Knew Exactly What to Do

Taken in 2007, Dr. Madhuri Chilakapati and her daughter Veda enjoy the sites at The Health Museum.

That's because Madhuri Chilakapati, M.D., is a board-certified specialist in Pediatric Ophthalmology at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic and mother of Veda Chilakapati, who started wearing glasses when she was just a toddler. When Dr. Chilakapati noticed that Veda's eyes were crossing, she knew something was wrong. She decided to have Veda's eyes checked.

Veda was diagnosed with high astigmatism, a condition which can cause amblyopia, sometimes called "lazy eye." Amblyopia is a decrease in vision which occurs when the brain ignores images or receives unclear images. Left untreated, children with amblyopia can experience irreversible vision loss.

To help improve Veda's vision, eyeglasses were prescribed. For Veda, getting new glasses was like opening a birthday present. "When she first got her glasses, she would put them to sleep in her Paddington Bear eyeglass case before going to bed, and then she would wake them up the next day."

Seeing Is Believing
Preschoolers like Veda usually respond well to prescription eyewear. By providing clearer images to the brain, glasses help visual development and may potentially prevent amblyopia. As many as three out of 100 children have some degree of vision impairment linked to amblyopia.

Talk to Your Pediatrician
It's no secret that parents who take an active role in their child's health can help prevent many health conditions, including amblyopia.

"Good vision is important for a growing child's proper development and educational success," says Dr. Chilakapati. When detected and treated by age 8, children with amblyopia have a good chance of achieving normal vision.

"As a parent, you are the one who knows your child best," says Dr. Chilakapati. "If you notice anything unusual about your child's eye health, talk to your pediatrician. A pediatrician is trained to screen for vision problems and will usually refer your child to a pediatric ophthalmologist if needed."

For Veda, early detection and appropriate treatment have made a big difference in her vision - a difference that may last her a lifetime.

About Madhuri Chilakapati, M.D.
Dr. Madhuri Chilakapati joined Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in 2006 and is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. She cares for patients at our Fort Bend Medical and Diagnostic Center, Main Campus and Spring Medical and Diagnostic Center locations. Click here to learn more about Dr. Chilakapati.