Our pediatric eye care services are led by a team of experienced optometrists and therapists who bring advanced training in children's vision. From pediatric eye exams and myopia control to vision therapy and post-concussion care, we provide a compassionate, kid-friendly experience for children of all ages.
Located in Costa Mesa, we serve families throughout Orange County including Irvine, Santa Ana, and Huntington Beach. Our fellowship-trained optometrists combine clinical knowledge with a warm, welcoming environment designed specifically for children.
Orthokeratology lenses work while your child sleeps, gently reshaping the cornea for clear, glasses-free vision during the day. These specially designed rigid contact lenses are worn overnight and removed in the morning. Many children enjoy the freedom of not wearing glasses or contacts during school and sports.
Dr. Nathan Schramm, OD, FSLS, FBCLA served as principal investigator for the Euclid Phoenix orthokeratology clinical trial. Dr. Ariel Chen, OD worked as a co-investigator on this study. Both doctors bring advanced experience fitting ortho-k lenses for myopia control in children.
Atropine eye drops play a key role in myopia management by helping slow down the progression of nearsightedness. This gentle treatment involves placing a low-dose drop in each eye before bedtime. For many children, atropine can help reduce how quickly their prescription changes over time.
Low-dose atropine therapy is often used alongside other myopia control methods for better results. Our doctors customize the atropine concentration based on your child's age, progression rate, and response to treatment.
Custom soft multifocal contacts designed for children offer clear vision while helping slow the progression of myopia. These daily-wear lenses are comfortable and easy for kids to handle. The MiSight 1 Day lens is one option available at our practice, along with other multifocal designs like NaturalVue.
Stellest lenses are specialty eyeglass lenses designed to slow myopia progression while your child wears regular glasses. Dr. Thanh Mai, OD, FSLS, FIAOMC serves on the EssilorLuxottica advisory board for Stellest and brings advanced training in fitting these lenses for children. This option works well for kids who are not ready for contact lenses or prefer glasses.
Through the Treehouse Eyes program, we take a personalized approach to managing your child's myopia. Dr. Thanh Mai, OD, FSLS, FIAOMC serves as VP of Clinical Innovation for Treehouse Eyes and brings this training to every myopia consultation. Dr. Nhi Nguyen, OD also participates in the Treehouse Eyes program at our practice.
We use the Zeiss AXL WAVE Optical Biometer and Pentacam to measure axial length and monitor your child's eye growth over time. These measurements help our doctors understand how quickly myopia is progressing and whether treatment adjustments are needed. Regular monitoring every six months allows us to catch changes early and modify treatment plans accordingly. You can explore the research behind our myopia treatments to learn more.
Vision therapy is a program of exercises and activities designed to improve how the eyes and brain work together. It can help children who struggle with eye coordination, focusing, or visual processing problems that affect reading and learning. Our program, called The Eye Gym at Insight Vision Center Optometry, offers one-on-one therapist-guided sessions.
Dr. Valerie Lam, OD, FAAO, FOVDR is board certified in Vision Therapy, Pediatric Developmental Vision Care, and Vision Rehabilitation. She completed a residency in Pediatrics and Binocular Vision and brings this advanced training to every vision therapy case.
Children with amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (eye turn) often benefit from vision therapy. These conditions affect how the eyes work as a team. Treatment may include patching, specialized lenses, and therapy exercises to strengthen the weaker eye and improve coordination.
When the two eyes have trouble working together, children may experience headaches, double vision, or difficulty reading. You can take our double vision quiz to check for common symptoms. Vision therapy helps train the eyes to focus and track together more smoothly. Many children see improvements in reading comfort and school performance after completing a therapy program.
Head injuries and concussions can affect vision in ways that standard eye exams may not detect. Dr. Valerie Lam, OD, FAAO, FOVDR organizes the Orange County Concussion Consortium and has advanced training in neuro-optometric rehabilitation. She works with children recovering from traumatic brain injuries to address visual symptoms like light sensitivity, focusing problems, and balance issues.
Children with autism, ADHD, or other developmental differences may have unique visual needs. Vision therapy can be adapted to meet each child's sensory preferences and learning style. Our therapists use patient, flexible approaches that help neurodivergent children succeed in therapy.
Developmental eye exams go beyond checking if your child can see clearly. These exams evaluate how the visual system supports learning, including eye tracking, focusing flexibility, and eye coordination. We recommend these exams for children who struggle with reading, attention, or schoolwork.
Regular eye exams help catch vision problems early, when treatment is most effective. Children should have their first comprehensive eye exam by age one, another before starting school, and then yearly exams throughout their school years. Our office is designed to be warm and welcoming for children of all ages.
Children with autism, developmental delays, or other special needs often require extra patience and adapted examination techniques. Our doctors have experience working with neurodivergent children and can adjust the exam to meet your child's comfort level. We take the time needed to ensure accurate results without causing stress or overwhelm.
Vision is a learned skill that develops as your child grows. Newborns can only see clearly about eight to twelve inches away. By six months, babies should track moving objects and reach for things they see. Understanding these developmental milestones helps parents know what to expect and when to seek care if concerns arise.
Good vision is more than seeing 20/20. Reading requires the eyes to move smoothly across the page, focus at close range, and work together as a team. When these visual skills are weak, children may skip lines, lose their place, or avoid reading. A developmental eye exam can identify whether vision problems are contributing to reading difficulties.
Some children see clearly but have trouble making sense of what they see. Visual processing problems can look like dyslexia or attention difficulties. We provide second-opinion evaluations for families who want to rule out vision as a factor in their child's learning challenges.
The visual and vestibular systems work together to control balance and body awareness. Children who seem clumsy or have trouble with sports may have underlying visual coordination problems. Vision therapy can help strengthen the connection between what the eyes see and how the body responds.
Some behaviors that look like ADHD may actually stem from undetected vision problems. Children with focusing issues or eye coordination problems may appear restless, distracted, or unable to concentrate on schoolwork. We offer second-opinion evaluations to help determine whether vision plays a role in behavioral concerns. Our kids symptom checker can help you identify signs to watch for.
Our practice fits contact lenses for children of all ages, including those with special visual needs. Whether your child needs myopia control lenses, lenses for sports, or specialty lenses for irregular corneas, we have options to match their lifestyle and prescription. Dr. Valerie Lam, OD, FAAO, FOVDR has advanced training in pediatric contact lens fittings.
Dry eye is becoming more common in children due to increased screen time and environmental factors. We offer treatments including lubricating drops, lid hygiene education, and in-office procedures to help restore tear film health. For severe cases, scleral lenses can provide both vision correction and all-day moisture.
Our optical department carries frames designed specifically for children, including Tomato Glasses and Miraflex for younger patients. We help families find durable, comfortable frames that fit properly and look great. For children with myopia, we can fit Stellest lenses into their favorite frames.
When your child has pink eye, an eye infection, or a corneal scratch, prompt care matters. We offer same-day appointments for pediatric eye emergencies so your child can get relief quickly. Our doctors treat common childhood eye issues including corneal abrasions, allergic conjunctivitis, and foreign body removal.
The American Optometric Association recommends a first comprehensive eye exam between six and twelve months of age. Early exams help detect problems that could affect visual development. Even if your child seems to see well, an exam can catch issues that are not obvious at home.
Signs that may indicate a need for vision therapy include frequent headaches during reading, using a finger to track words, skipping lines, reversing letters, or avoiding close work. A developmental eye exam can determine whether your child has functional vision problems that therapy could address.
Current treatments can slow myopia progression but cannot stop it completely or reverse existing nearsightedness. Starting myopia management early, when the eyes are still growing quickly, tends to produce better results. Regular monitoring helps us adjust treatment as your child grows.
Many children successfully wear contact lenses starting around age eight, and some wear them even younger for medical reasons. Maturity and motivation matter more than age. Our doctors will help you decide if your child is ready based on their individual needs and responsibility level.
Vision screenings at school or the pediatrician check basic distance vision but miss many problems. A comprehensive eye exam evaluates eye health, prescription accuracy, focusing ability, eye coordination, and more. Many children who pass screenings still have vision issues that affect learning.
Most vision therapy programs last between six months and one year, with weekly in-office sessions and daily home exercises. Progress depends on the type and severity of the vision problem, the child's age, and how consistently they complete their home practice. Many families notice improvements within the first few months.
