Early detection of amblyopia, strabismus, and refractive errors | From newborns onward
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A consultation with a pediatric ophthalmologist Mexico City like Dr. Sebastián Diener is a complete visual evaluation, adapted to the child’s age and developmental stage. Its goal is to detect early on conditions that, if not treated in time, can cause permanent vision loss, since a child’s visual system keeps developing until around age 7-8.
An initial newborn screening is recommended, followed by checkups before starting school, even if the child shows no obvious symptoms. Many childhood visual conditions, such as amblyopia, show no clear signs and can only be detected through a targeted ophthalmological exam.
This is the loss of visual acuity in one or both eyes due to inadequate visual stimulation during childhood. The earlier it’s detected and treated, the better the chances of recovery.
This refers to eye misalignment. Beyond the cosmetic aspect, it can lead to amblyopia if not corrected in time.
This is a drooping upper eyelid present from birth. Dr. Diener has a special interest in this condition, since when it obstructs the visual axis, it requires timely evaluation to prevent amblyopia.
Myopia in children has increased significantly over the past few decades. Detecting and controlling it early — not just updating the glasses prescription — is key to reducing the risk of eye complications later in adulthood associated with high myopia, such as retinal detachment and glaucoma (Zhang et al., British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2025).
According to the international consensus of the International Myopia Institute (Jonas et al., Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2021), the strategies with the strongest evidence include:
Dr. Diener evaluates which combination of strategies is right for each child based on age, degree of myopia, and family history.
If your child has already been diagnosed with progressive myopia, learn more about our Myopia Control program, featuring Stellest lenses, MiSight and low-dose atropine.
Dr. Diener has a special interest in congenital ptosis, amblyopia, and eyelid malpositions in children, conditions in which early intervention makes a definitive difference in visual development. His approach combines a complete pediatric ophthalmological diagnosis with specific expertise in eyelid pathology, allowing comprehensive management without the need for multiple referrals.
If you’re looking for a pediatric ophthalmologist Mexico City with a preventive, highly specialized approach, book your child’s appointment with Dr. Sebastián Diener. If you also need to book your own eye exam as an adult, you can do that with him too.
At what age should a child's first eye exam take place?
The first eye exam should take place during the newborn period (ophthalmologic screening). A formal exam is recommended at 6 months, again at one year, and before starting school (age 3-4). If any symptom appears —strabismus, drooping eyelid, watery eye, light sensitivity— the exam should be immediate.
Can lazy eye (amblyopia) be cured?
This is the standard surgery for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. It creates a new direct connection between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity, bypassing the blocked duct. It can be performed externally (with a small incision at the inner corner of the eye) or endoscopically (with no external incision). The success rate exceeds 90%.
Does a newborn with a drooping eyelid need urgent surgery?
It depends on the degree of ptosis. If the eyelid covers the visual axis, it interferes with visual development and can cause irreversible amblyopia; in that case surgery is urgent, even in the first months of life. If the eyelid does not block vision, it can be monitored with periodic exams.
How do I know if my child has strabismus?
Strabismus is misalignment of the eyes: one eye looks straight ahead while the other turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. In infants under 6 months it can be physiological; after that age, any deviation should be evaluated. Warning signs: the child closes one eye in sunlight, tilts or turns the head, or shows visual clumsiness.
At what age can a child start myopia control treatment?
Myopia control can begin as soon as progressive myopia is diagnosed in a school-age child, often between ages 6 and 12, when the risk of rapid progression is highest. The exact starting age depends on each patient’s individual evaluation.
Is updating my child's glasses prescription the same as myopia control?
No. Updating the glasses prescription corrects blurry vision, but it does not on its own slow the progression of myopia. Myopia control uses specific treatments, such as low-dose atropine, orthokeratology, or specialized lenses, designed to reduce the rate at which the child’s eye keeps elongating.
Does screen time cause myopia in children?
The scientific evidence is more consistent regarding the protective effect of outdoor time than the direct harm of screens. It’s recommended to combine frequent visual breaks during close-up activities (reading, homework, screens) with at least a couple of hours of outdoor activities per day.
What happens if a child's myopia progresses without control?
Myopia that progresses without control can reach high levels (high myopia) in adulthood, increasing the risk of eye complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy.
