Assessment before treatment
The service is appropriate for children and adolescents who need assessment after an abnormal screening result, evaluation of symptoms or follow-up of a known eye condition.
Related services
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About the service
Paediatric ophthalmology assesses visual development, eye health and the need for treatment. Examination is adapted to the child’s age, and recommendations and follow-up are discussed with the parents.
Who the service is for
Amblyopia treatment
children who fail vision screening or have risk factors for amblyopia; patients with suspected amblyopia or who have already been prescribed treatment;
Astigmatism
children with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or anisometropia who need optical correction; vision differs between the eyes, there is high myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, or the spectacle prescription is changing rapidly;
Strabismus and eye alignment
children with constant or intermittent strabismus or binocular-vision disorders; one eye drifts constantly or intermittently, there is double vision , or the child turns or tilts the head to look;
Myopia progression control
patients with progressive myopia who need longitudinal assessment and discussion of progression control;
Paediatric assessment considerations
A child should see an ophthalmologist not only when they clearly complain about vision. an infant does not develop stable visual tracking after the first months of life, has an abnormal pupillary reflex, a congenital anomaly or important risk factors;
Age considerations
Some disorders remain unnoticed for a long time, especially when one eye sees better than the other. the child squints, holds a book or screen close, or sits closer to the board or television; the child reports blurred vision , visual fatigue, headache with visual tasks, photophobia or eye pain ; the child was born prematurely or has a condition requiring ophthalmic follow-up;
Lens wear schedule
there is persistent tearing or discharge, recurrent redness or eyelid inflammation;
Eye injury
there has been an eye injury, chemical exposure or sudden loss of vision.
Retinal condition
infants and children with congenital or acquired disorders of the eye, lacrimal system, eyelids, retina or optic nerve;
Specialist consultation
children who require a specialist surgical assessment after consultation.
Specialist consultation
There are few universal contraindications to a pediatric ophthalmology consultation itself. Limitations mainly apply to individual tests and treatments.
An individual plan
cycloplegic drops are used with consideration of contraindications and individual response;
Age considerations
age and cooperation can limit some subjective tests, so objective or staged assessment may be used;
Contact lenses
contact and orthokeratology lenses require strict hygiene and are not suitable for every child;
Role of the method
pleoptic-orthoptic treatment has specific indications and is not a universal method for “improving eyesight”;
Assessment before choosing treatment
surgery is performed only after dedicated diagnostic assessment and review of anaesthetic and surgical risks;
Discussion with the parent and child
symptoms, history of the condition, visual development, family history, previous prescriptions and use of glasses or contact lenses.
Fixation and eye movements
Age-appropriate vision testing and assessment of fixation, tracking, eye alignment and ocular motility.
Symptoms requiring urgent care
a routine clinic visit is not a substitute for emergency care after eye trauma, chemical burns or sudden visual loss.
Identifying the cause of the condition
Seek urgent medical care for chemical exposure to the eye, penetrating trauma, sudden marked loss of vision, severe eye pain, an abnormal white pupillary reflex, acute-onset strabismus with neurological symptoms, or other rapidly progressive changes.
Limitations and safety
A routine clinic visit is not a substitute for emergency care after eye trauma, chemical burns or sudden visual loss.
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Stages
Stage 1
Family discussion
Chief complaints, history of present illness, family medical history, prior prescriptions, and current spectacle or contact lens wear regimen.
Stage 2
Visual function assessment
Age-appropriate vision testing and assessment of fixation, tracking, eye alignment and ocular motility.
Stage 3
Refraction assessment
The physician determines the examination following cycloplegia.
Stage 4
Ocular examination
Examination of the anterior segment and fundus, with assessment of pupillary responses.
Stage 5
Additional tests
Additional functional or instrumental diagnostics as indicated.
Stage 6
Diagnosis and treatment plan
Correction, monitoring, myopia control, amblyopia or strabismus treatment, or surgical referral.
Stage 7
Follow-up schedule
A follow-up schedule is set according to age and the risk of progression.
Service benefits
Age-appropriate assessment
Vision testing methods are selected for the child's age and abilities to obtain information useful for treatment.
Care during visual development
Timely detection and treatment are especially important while the child's visual system is still developing.
Treatment in stages
The care plan can be adapted as the child grows, refraction changes and the response to treatment becomes clear.
Connecting diagnosis and treatment
Examination findings help guide correction, treatment procedures and follow-up within one coordinated plan.
Methods comparison
Criterion
Glasses / optical correction
Myopia control / Ortho-K
Pleoptic-orthoptic treatment
Surgical treatment
Primary goal
Focus a clear image on the retina and reduce amblyopia risk
Slow myopia progression in suitable children
Develop the weaker eye and binocular interaction
Correct an anatomical or surgically significant problem
Typical situations
Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, anisometropia
Progressive myopia
Amblyopia, binocular-vision disorders and selected forms of strabismus
Strabismus, cataract and selected congenital or acquired pathology
Tissue intervention
Non-invasive
Ortho-K lens contacts the cornea overnight and requires hygiene
Non-invasive
Invasiveness depends on the operation
Anaesthesia
Not required
Not required
Not required
May be required; children need an age-appropriate anaesthetic plan
Dependence on adherence
Correction must be worn as prescribed
High: lens wear, hygiene and scheduled controls
Courses and prescribed exercises/treatment must be followed
Requires preparation and postoperative follow-up
Main risk
Under-correction or poor tolerance
Contact-lens infection if hygiene rules are not followed
Lost time if the method is prescribed without treating the underlying cause
Surgical and anaesthetic complications
Repeatability
Prescription can change as the child grows
Requires ongoing review and lens replacement
Courses may be repeated when indicated
Depends on the specific operation
Glasses / optical correction
Primary goal
Typical situations
Tissue intervention
Anaesthesia
Dependence on adherence
Main risk
Repeatability
Focus a clear image on the retina and reduce amblyopia risk
Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, anisometropia
Non-invasive
Not required
Correction must be worn as prescribed
Under-correction or poor tolerance
Prescription can change as the child grows
Slow myopia progression in suitable children
Progressive myopia
Ortho-K lens contacts the cornea overnight and requires hygiene
Not required
High: lens wear, hygiene and scheduled controls
Contact-lens infection if hygiene rules are not followed
Requires ongoing review and lens replacement
Develop the weaker eye and binocular interaction
Amblyopia, binocular-vision disorders and selected forms of strabismus
Non-invasive
Not required
Courses and prescribed exercises/treatment must be followed
Lost time if the method is prescribed without treating the underlying cause
Courses may be repeated when indicated
Correct an anatomical or surgically significant problem
Strabismus, cataract and selected congenital or acquired pathology
Invasiveness depends on the operation
May be required; children need an age-appropriate anaesthetic plan
Requires preparation and postoperative follow-up
Surgical and anaesthetic complications
Depends on the specific operation
Service options
Eyeglass Prescription and Selection for Children
Children’s glasses are prescribed according to refraction, visual acuity and binocular function.
Learn moreNight Lenses for Children (Orthokeratology)
Overnight orthokeratology lenses temporarily reshape the cornea during sleep.
Learn moreDevice-based vision treatment
Device-based treatment is an individual programme of visual exercises for amblyopia and selected binocular vision problems.
Learn more
Book an appointment
Book a pediatric ophthalmology consultation at KazRIED to assess your child’s vision, determine whether additional testing is needed, and receive an observation, correction or treatment plan based on the diagnosis.
Procedure prices
Service name
Price
Consultation with a first-category physician
15 400 ₸
Consultation with a highest-category physician
17 900 ₸
Consultation with a physician with a Candidate of Medical Sciences degree
22 900 ₸
Pediatric ophthalmologist consultation (per consultation)
from 12 000 ₸
Consultation with a highest-category ophthalmologist (per consultation)
from 14 500 ₸
Consultation with an ophthalmologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences (per consultation)
from 19 500 ₸
Consultation with an ophthalmologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences (per consultation)
from 26 500 ₸
Follow-up ophthalmologist consultation (per consultation)
from 5 900 ₸
Annual night-lens fitting and follow-up programme (Almaty)
from 200 000 ₸
Amblyotrainer session (per session)
from 1 300 ₸
Amblyopia treatment (per session)
from 1 000 ₸
Computer-based strabismus treatment (per session)
from 1 100 ₸
Pleoptic treatment, Ambliokor TM-01 (per eye; per session)
from 3 200 ₸
Vizotronik M3 session (per session)
from 2 300 ₸
Strabismus surgery
Cost determined after consultation
Nasolacrimal duct probing (per eye)
from 24 000 ₸
Pediatric intravenous anaesthesia (per anaesthetic service)
from 77 500 ₸
Combined pediatric anaesthesia (per anaesthetic service)
from 113 200 ₸
The price includes intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and refractometry
Ophthalmologist consultation without diagnostic package
Our doctors
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Experience: 34 years
Head
Dzhumataeva Zaure Asylkhanovna
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 22 years
Head
Orazbekov Lukpan Nurlanovich
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 37 years
Ophthalmologist
Iskakbaeva Dzhuldyz Seytkhanovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences
Experience: 27 years
Head
Tleubaeva Gulmira Bakhytovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 3 years
Ophthalmologist
Omarova Kymbat Omarovna
Master’s Student in Public Health
Experience: 24 years
Ophthalmologist (pediatric consultations)
Abakaeva Zhanna Bakirzhanovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 50 years
Ophthalmologist, Ultrasound Diagnostics
Maldybekova Raya Bagdauletovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 37 years
Head
Omargalieva Gulnara Kabdulmukhitovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 19 years
Pediatric and Adult Ophthalmologist
Razdykova Dina Atabekovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 15 years
Ophthalmologist, Ultrasound and OCT Diagnostics
Saptaeva Madina Sanatovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Patient reviews
Pediatric Ophthalmology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Vision Disorders
A child's vision develops alongside the eyes and the visual centers of the brain. Pediatric ophthalmology therefore assesses not only how well a child sees at present, but also whether refraction, binocular vision and coordination between the two eyes are developing properly.
The most common reasons for consulting a pediatric ophthalmologist include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, anisometropia, amblyopia and strabismus. In young children, these conditions may occur without noticeable complaints. One eye may compensate for reduced vision in the other, and the child may not realize that their vision differs from that of other people.
Accurate refraction assessment and timely optical correction are essential in managing refractive errors. In progressive myopia, the ophthalmologist also evaluates changes over time, risk factors and options for controlling progression.
Follow-up Examination Schedule
The frequency of follow-up examinations depends on the child's age, diagnosed conditions, changes in refraction and prescribed treatment. Not every child requires the same schedule of comprehensive examinations.
If a child begins squinting and has difficulty seeing the classroom board, visual acuity and refraction should be assessed. Cycloplegia may be performed if necessary, followed by appropriate optical correction. If myopia is identified, the ophthalmologist evaluates its progression and establishes a follow-up schedule.
Vision screening and a comprehensive ophthalmological examination serve different purposes. Screening helps identify children at risk of vision problems. A comprehensive examination is indicated when abnormalities, symptoms, risk factors or an existing eye condition are present. An annual comprehensive ophthalmological checkup should therefore not automatically be required for every healthy child.
Amblyopia Treatment
Amblyopia is associated with insufficient development of visual function in one or both eyes. Treatment aims to address the underlying cause and improve visual function in the weaker eye.
Depending on the clinical situation, treatment may include appropriate optical correction, patching, other penalization methods, and pleoptic or orthoptic treatment prescribed by an ophthalmologist.
- A preschool child's eye occasionally turns inward or outward. The ophthalmologist assesses refraction, the angle of strabismus and visual acuity in each eye. If necessary, refractive correction and amblyopia treatment are prescribed, followed by an assessment of whether orthoptic treatment or a surgical consultation is required.
- One eye has noticeably poorer vision than the other. Organic eye disease is first excluded and the cause of amblyopia is identified. Appropriate optical correction, patching, penalization or functional treatment may then be prescribed, with follow-up to evaluate the response.
Amblyopia and strabismus are related but distinct conditions. Surgery to correct eye alignment does not replace amblyopia treatment or optical correction when these are necessary.
Myopia and Control of Its Progression
Children's refraction changes as their eyes grow, and their accommodative ability is strong. In some situations, measuring refraction without cycloplegia may produce inaccurate results. The ophthalmologist determines when pupil dilation and temporary relaxation of accommodation are necessary for accurate optical correction.
Managing progressive myopia involves more than prescribing stronger glasses whenever vision deteriorates. The ophthalmologist evaluates the rate of refractive change and discusses available methods of myopia control.
When a school-aged child's myopia progresses rapidly, previous refraction measurements are compared with current findings. Different myopia-control options, including orthokeratology for suitable patients, may be considered. Regular monitoring is required.
How Children's Vision Is Examined
The scope of the examination depends on the child's age, symptoms, identified conditions and ability to perform diagnostic tests. The same set of investigations is not necessary for every patient.
A standard pediatric examination progresses from simple age-appropriate tests to more specialized investigations. The exact sequence may vary.
- Medical history. The ophthalmologist reviews the course of pregnancy and delivery, any history of prematurity, family medical and eye history, current symptoms, glasses use and changes in refraction over time.
- Visual function assessment. Visual behavior or visual acuity is evaluated using age-appropriate methods.
- Eye alignment and coordination. Eye position, movements, fixation and convergence are assessed, along with binocular functions and the angle of strabismus when indicated.
- Refraction assessment. Cycloplegia, which temporarily relaxes accommodation, is often necessary for accurate optical correction in children.
- Examination of ocular structures. The anterior segment, transparency of the ocular media, pupillary responses and fundus are examined.
- Additional investigations when indicated. These may include tonometry, ultrasound, optical coherence tomography (OCT), electrophysiological testing, keratometry, visual field testing and other diagnostic methods.
After reviewing the findings, the ophthalmologist determines the appropriate next steps: observation, glasses or contact lenses, amblyopia treatment, a pleoptic or orthoptic treatment program, myopia control or consultation with an eye surgeon.
What Is Included in a Pediatric Ophthalmology Consultation in Almaty
An initial pediatric ophthalmology consultation in Almaty includes reviewing symptoms and medical history, measuring uncorrected and corrected visual acuity, autorefraction, and assessing objective and subjective refraction.
The consultation also includes binocular vision assessment, functional tests, biomicroscopy, fundus examination and refraction assessment under cycloplegia.
If necessary, the ophthalmologist prescribes glasses, establishes a diagnosis and provides recommendations for further monitoring or treatment.
Measurement of the eye's axial length (anteroposterior axis) for myopia monitoring is charged separately. When booking, patients should confirm which additional diagnostic investigations are included in the consultation and which require separate payment.
Strabismus and Surgical Treatment
When examining a child with strabismus, the ophthalmologist assesses refraction, visual acuity in each eye, binocular vision and the angle of deviation. Conservative treatment may be sufficient for some children, while others may require surgical correction.
The treatment pathway involves accurate refraction assessment, optical correction, treatment of amblyopia and binocular vision disorders, surgery when indicated, and subsequent follow-up.
KazRIED has a pediatric department and provides specialized ophthalmic surgical care. Children with congenital cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity, complex retinal disorders and other conditions requiring surgery are referred to the appropriate specialist rather than managed through a standard pediatric consultation pathway.
- Strabismus surgery is a separate surgical service.
- Nasolacrimal duct probing is a separate procedure performed when indicated.
- Intravenous anesthesia in children is not automatically required for every surgical procedure.
- Combined anesthesia in children is used according to the anesthetic management plan.
Symptoms Requiring Urgent Medical Attention
Certain changes in a child's vision or eye condition require urgent assessment rather than a routine appointment.
If an infant repeatedly shows a white pupillary reflex or has congenital clouding of the ocular media, urgent specialist assessment is necessary. After specialized diagnostic evaluation, the child may be referred to a pediatric ophthalmic surgical department if required.
An unusual pupillary reflex, eye injury, sudden loss of vision or acute eye inflammation also requires prompt in-person medical evaluation. In these situations, parents should not wait for a routine examination or a scheduled course of vision therapy.
Facts and offers
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can a child see an ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmic examination can be performed from infancy. In babies, assessment includes eye appearance, light responses, the red reflex and other age-appropriate findings. The timing of specialist examination depends on screening results, symptoms and risk factors.
Does every child need a complete ophthalmology examination every year?
Not necessarily. Healthy children need regular age-appropriate vision screening. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations are needed more often when screening is abnormal, symptoms or risk factors are present, or an eye condition has already been diagnosed.
When should a child be seen outside routine screening?
Assessment is appropriate if a child persistently squints, holds objects close, tilts the head, closes one eye, reports double or reduced vision, develops an eye turn, persistent tearing, photophobia or other new visual symptoms.
What is checked during a pediatric ophthalmology visit?
Depending on age, assessment may include visual behaviour or acuity, eye alignment and movements, pupil responses, refraction, the anterior segment and the fundus. Additional tests are performed when indicated.
Why are dilating and cycloplegic drops used in children?
Cycloplegic drops temporarily relax accommodation, allowing a more accurate measurement of refractive error. This is particularly important when hyperopia, astigmatism or changing refractive error is suspected.
Is a pediatric eye examination painful?
Most routine examination steps are painless. Eye drops may sting briefly, bright light can be uncomfortable, and dilation may temporarily cause light sensitivity and blurred near vision.
Can vision be tested if a child cannot read letters?
Yes. Pictures, age-appropriate symbols, fixation and tracking assessment, photoscreening, objective refraction and other methods can be used without requiring letter recognition.
What is amblyopia?
Amblyopia is reduced vision caused by abnormal visual development during childhood. Common causes include strabismus, a significant refractive difference between the eyes and substantial uncorrected refractive error.
Why is early diagnosis and treatment of amblyopia important?
The visual system is especially plastic during childhood. Earlier correction of the cause and appropriate treatment generally provide a greater opportunity for visual development, although older children may also benefit.
Does strabismus always require surgery?
No. Treatment depends on the type and cause of strabismus, refraction, amblyopia and the size of the deviation. Glasses, amblyopia treatment, prism or orthoptic approaches and surgery may be used when appropriate.