Advances in Pediatric Ophthalmology Diagnostics and Management

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Optics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 1650

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Prof. K. Gibiński University Clinical Center, Medical University of Silesia, 40-514 Katowice, Poland
2. Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-514 Katowice, Poland
Interests: ophthalmology; glaucoma; cataract; AMD; diabetic retinopathy

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Guest Editor Assistant
1. Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
2. Professor Kornel Gibiński University Hospital Center, Medical University of Silesia, 40-514 Katowice, Poland
Interests: pediatric ophthalmology; retinal; corneal; cataract surgery; maculopathy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pediatric ophthalmology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and management of eye disorders in children. It poses a particular challenge for ophthalmologists due to the anatomical, physiological, and developmental differences between the eyes of children and those of adult patients. One of the key challenges is obtaining a reliable medical history and maintaining cooperation during the examination. Young patients are not always able to describe their symptoms or follow a doctor's instructions, and it is well known that early diagnosis of eye diseases in children, especially congenital glaucoma, congenital cataracts, retinal diseases, visual impairments, and many others, is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of permanent visual impairment. In many cases, eye diseases can be asymptomatic or cause nonspecific symptoms, which further complicates diagnosis. Therefore, regular screening is essential for pediatric patients, especially premature infants and those at risk of various eye conditions.

Ophthalmic management in pediatric patients also presents numerous challenges. It may include both conservative treatments (e.g., spectacle correction, orthoptic exercises, penalization) and surgical procedures (e.g., cataract and glaucoma surgery, laser coagulation of the retina in patients with retinopathy of prematurity, surgery on the extraocular muscles to correct strabismus, treatment of traumatic injuries to the eyeball and the protective apparatus of the eye). Almost all ophthalmic procedures and some diagnostic tests in children are performed under general anesthesia. All treatments require the involvement of doctors, medical staff, parents, and legal guardians. Therefore, therapeutic success largely depends on a systematic approach and cooperation.

Challenges in this field of medicine also include limited access to specialists, especially in small health facilities, and the need for continuous development of ophthalmic technologies tailored to the needs of young patients. Given these significant challenges, pediatric ophthalmology requires a high level of knowledge, patience, and an interdisciplinary approach to protect, diagnose, and treat children's vision effectively.

Our Special Issue will feature articles on diagnostic test results and the outcomes of surgical procedures in children. We encourage ophthalmologists to share diagnostic test results and the outcomes of conservative and surgical treatment.

Dr. Mariola Dorecka
Guest Editor

Dr. Bogumiła Wójcik-Niklewska
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pediatric ophthalmology
  • children
  • congenital glaucoma
  • congenital cataract
  • cornea
  • strabismus
  • myopia
  • retinopathy of prematurity
  • amblyopia

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2363 KB  
Article
Comparison of Two Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomographs for Macular Thickness in Romanian Children Reveals Device-Dependent Normative Data and Significant Gender Differences
by Iulia-Andrada Nemeș-Drăgan, Alexandru Țîpcu, Ana-Maria Drăgan, Raluca Pașcalău, Jennifer Bogdan and Mădălina Claudia Hapca
Diagnostics 2026, 16(4), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16040609 - 19 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to establish normative data for macular retinal thickness among Romanian children for two different spectral-domain optical coherence tomographs to establish if they are interchangeable and to compare gender-related differences. Methods: This analytical prospective study included 226 healthy [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study aimed to establish normative data for macular retinal thickness among Romanian children for two different spectral-domain optical coherence tomographs to establish if they are interchangeable and to compare gender-related differences. Methods: This analytical prospective study included 226 healthy children aged 3–17. A total of 113 eyes were examined with the Spectralis SD-OCT (Heidelberg Engineering) device and 113 with the Copernicus REVO SD-CT (Optopol Technology). Results: Central foveal and average macular thickness was measured and compared. Combining the two groups, measured with both devices, average measurements are as follows. The central foveal thickness was 203.87 ± 19.972 μm in males and 200.84 ± 21.891 μm in females for the left eye and 204.80 ± 21.516 μm and 199.74 ± 22.132 μm, respectively, for the right eye. While central foveal thickness was greater in males, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.288 for the left eye and p = 0.084 for the right eye). The average macular thickness was 256.94 ± 21.566 μm in males and 250.90 ± 23.488 μm in females for the left eye and 258.21 ± 21.30 μm and 249.70 ± 24.706 μm, respectively, for the right eye, showing significantly higher values in males (p = 0.048 for the left eye and p = 0.007 for the right eye). Significant inter-device variation was also observed across all OCT parameters (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provides normative data for macular thickness in healthy Romanian children for two spectral-domain optical coherence tomographs and may assist clinicians in interpreting paediatric OCT scans more accurately. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pediatric Ophthalmology Diagnostics and Management)
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11 pages, 2766 KB  
Article
Visualization of the Persistent Avascular Retina with Ultra-Widefield Green Reflectance Imaging
by Ayşe Cengiz Ünal, Melih Akıdan and Muhammet Kazım Erol
Diagnostics 2025, 15(22), 2873; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15222873 - 13 Nov 2025
Viewed by 770
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine which color imaging facilitated easier detection of the persistent avascular retina (PAR) in ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus imaging in children undergoing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: A total of 20 eyes of 10 [...] Read more.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine which color imaging facilitated easier detection of the persistent avascular retina (PAR) in ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus imaging in children undergoing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: A total of 20 eyes of 10 children aged between 6 and 9 who underwent diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for ROP were included. Fundus images were obtained using Optos confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO; Optos PLC, Daytona, Dunfermline, UK). The images were divided and recorded into three groups as original imaging (composite), red reflectance imaging, and green reflectance imaging. These images were prepared as a slideshow for 10 ophthalmology specialists and they were surveyed to determine in which color imaging the peripheral avascular area was more easily detected. The results were evaluated. Results: The rate of detecting the PAR in green reflectance imaging by the participants included in the study was found to be statistically higher compared to other colors of imaging (composite 0.63 ± 0.09 (0.5–0.8), red 0.12 ± 0.05 (0.05–0.2), and green 0.94 ± 0.06 (0.85–1), p < 0.0001). All respondents reported that the boundaries of the peripheral avascular area were more clearly defined in the UWF (Optos PLC, Daytona, Dunfermline, UK) green reflectance imaging. Conclusions: Each color imaging used in UWF fundus imaging helps to visualize different layers of the retina. Our study showed that retinal vascular endings appear more distinct due to the lower penetration of the green laser into the choroidal vessels. Based on these findings, we believe that UWF fundus green reflectance imaging is more useful for detecting and monitoring PAR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pediatric Ophthalmology Diagnostics and Management)
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