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About Children’s Eye Health
Many parents will be familiar with the importance of immunisations, routine screenings such as hearing tests, weight, and growth charts for their children, not to mention dental health when the time arises, but what about their vision? Some eye conditions do not display any signs or symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to take your child for a sight test. In cases where there is no perceived problem and no significant family history of squint, lazy eye or serious eye conditions in childhood, we recommend an annual eye examination from around 3-4yrs old. Once these children reach nine and upwards, generally we advise an eye examination every two years unless your Ophthalmologist has advised otherwise.
If there are any concerns of the following, we recommend an eye examination at any age –
- Squint (misalignment of the two eyes)
- Difficulty in picking up small objects
- Tendency to bump into things or being unusually clumsy
- Lack of concentration
- Red eyes or lids
- Excessive tearing
- Sitting too close to the television
- Difficulty with hand-eye co-ordination
- Rubs eye frequently
- Encrusted eyelids
- Many eye conditions, especially ‘lazy eyes’ can run in the family, so if someone in your family has either an eye turn (squint) or suffers from reduced vision in one or both eyes (amblyopia), it’s a good idea to take any related children for a sight test.
There is a common misconception that children’s eyes cannot be tested until they can read, however this is not the case. Orthoptists are specialists in testing vision in children and we have a variety of ways to test vision in all ages. Although testing vision in very young children can never be completely accurate, we can get a very good idea if your child sees normally for their age. Additionally, our Optometrists and Paediatric Ophthalmologists are experienced in conducting glasses tests and full eye examinations in children of all ages respectively.
Depending on the findings of the eye examination, your Ophthalmologist will let you know how regularly your child needs to be followed up. Usually, if your child is given glasses for the first time they will be followed up by the Orthoptist, who are will assess the child’s progress with their glasses.
Children’s Eye Health Specialists
Dr. Alaa Bou Ghannam
Visiting Specialist Ophthalmologist in Neuro-Ophthalmology, Paediatric Ophthalmology, Paediatric Glaucoma & Adult Strabismus
Dr. Alaa Bou Ghannam is a visiting specialist in neuro-ophthalmology, paediatric ophthalmology, and adult strabismus at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
He holds a bachelor in science (2007) with high distinction and a medical degree (2011) from the American University of Beirut. He finished his ophthalmology residency at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in 2015 before pursuing a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus from Children's National Health System and George Washington Hospital in Washington DC in 2016. He also finished another fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology from The University of Colorado in 2017.
He has over five years of regional/international experience in paediatric ophthalmology, adult strabismus, and neuro-ophthalmology in countries including Lebanon and The United States of America.
In his career, he has practiced in leading medical institutions such as The American University of Beirut Medical Center.
He has undertaken research in clinical ophthalmology and neurology and has published more than a dozen research papers and book chapters on strabismus, optic nerve diseases, paediatric glaucoma, paediatric ophthalmology, ocular electrophysiology, and nystagmus, in leading medical journals.
He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Lebanese Ophthalmological Society (LOS), North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society (NANOS), and The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS).
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Dr. Suhair Twaij
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Adult & Paediatric Strabismus Surgery, Paediatric Ophthalmology, Adult Cataract Surgery
Dr. Suhair Twaij is a Consultant Ophthalmologist with a subspecialist interest in adult and paediatric Strabismus surgery, Paediatric Ophthalmology, adult Cataract Surgery and General Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai.
Dr. Twaij recently relocated to the UAE from the UK, where she has worked as a consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast since 2013. She was also the clinical lead for the adult motility service in Northern Ireland from 2014.
She holds a graduate degree in medicine from the Baghdad University Medical School, obtained in 1994.
Her areas of expertise include complex adult and paediatric squint surgery using the adjustable technique when needed, double vision correction, adult cataract surgery with an implant, Botox treatment for squints, double vision, blepharospasm and aesthetics.
She has over 20 years of experience in general ophthalmology, including cataract surgery, anterior and posterior segments such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Dr. Suhair trained in the UK from 2004 in England and Northern Ireland and was awarded the certificate of completion of training (CCT) in ophthalmology in the UK in 2012. She was awarded the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Fellowship in the same year.
Throughout her career, she has practised in leading medical institutions such as The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Northern Ireland, The Bristol Eye Hospital, England, and King Hussein Medical City Amman, Jordan.
Dr. Suhair is an avid researcher and has Medline-published papers in various ophthalmology topics such as medical retina, paediatric ophthalmology and oculoplastics.
She is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the British & Irish Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Association (BIPOSA) and the European Association of Strabismus (ESA).
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Dr. Salma Yassine
Specialist Ophthalmologist in Paediatric and Neuro-ophthalmology
Dr. Salma Yassine is a specialist ophthalmologist in paediatric and neuro-ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Healthcare City Dubai.
She holds a bachelor’s in science (2012) with high distinction and a medical degree (2016) from the American University of Beirut. She finished Her ophthalmology residency at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in 2020 before pursuing a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota in 2021, followed by another fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC.
She has international experience in paediatrics and neuro-ophthalmology in countries including the USA and Lebanon.
She has practised in leading medical institutions such as the University of Minnesota and the Children’s National Medical Center in the US.
She has researched intracranial hypertension and nanophthalmos and published research papers on nystagmus and nanophthalmos in leading journals.
She is a member of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Association (AAPOS) The North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS), and the Lebanese Ophthalmological Society (LOS)
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Dr. Christiane Al Haddad
Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus
Dr Christiane Al- Haddad is a visiting associate professor of Ophthalmology, Specialised in Paediatric Ophthalmology and adult Strabismus at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
She holds an MD degree from the American University of Beirut in 2000, an Ophthalmology degree from the American University of Beirut in 2004, a fellowship in paediatric ophthalmology from Children’s National Medical Center, Washington DC in 2005, and a fellowship in paediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus from Duke Eye Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA in 2006.
Dr Al-Haddad has more than 15 years of regional/international experience in all aspects of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismology in leading medical institutions: the American University of Beirut Medical Center (Lebanon), Children’s National Medical Center (USA) and Duke Eye Center (USA).
She has undertaken research in the field of Paediatric Ophthalmology & strabismus and has published more than 50 research papers on amblyopia, strabismus, genetic eye diseases, retinoblastoma, congenital glaucoma and eye tracking technology in leading journals including British Journal of Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology, Journal of the American Association for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Journal of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology among others.
Dr Al-Haddad is a member of the American Association for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the International Strabismological Association and the Costenbader Society. She is the director of the Paediatric Ophthalmology division in the Ophthalmology department at the American University of Beirut and established the retinoblastoma program with the oncology team at the Children’s Cancer Center in collaboration with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis USA.
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Dr. Ayesha Khan
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Paediatric Ophthalmology
Dr. Ayesha Khan is a Consultant Ophthalmologist in Paediatric Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
She is an experienced Ophthalmologist, specialising in the clinical and surgical treatment of a full range of Children’s Eye Diseases, including Retinopathy of Prematurity, Retinoblastoma, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Squints, and eye injuries, amongst others.
She is also experienced in the surgical treatment of adult squints & cataracts.
After doing her fellowships in Ophthalmology from the College of Physicians & Surgeons, Pakistan (FCPS), & Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, UK (FRCSEd), Dr. Ayesha completed her clinical & surgical training in Paediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus from University of Toronto, Canada.
After that, she headed the Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology at a tertiary care Eye Hospital in Pakistan before moving to Canada in 2010. She served as an Associate Professor and Consultant Paediatric at the prestigious Montreal Children’s Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre.
After that, she did a short stint in the UK before moving to UAE in January 2020. Since then, she has been actively practising Paediatric Ophthalmology in Dubai.
Dr. Ayesha has done extensive research work in Paediatric Ophthalmology and has several publications to her credit. She is a member of the American Association for Paediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus.
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Dr. Imran Jawaid
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus surgery
Dr. Imran Jawaid is a Consultant Ophthalmologist, specialised in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
He holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree in Medicine from the University of Leicester, School of Medicine, graduating with honours in 2010. He is also dual qualified as an Optometrist with a Bachelor of Science (HONS) degree in 2003. Dr. Imran has completed his Fellowship with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) and obtained his Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Ophthalmology in 2020.
Dr. Imran has more than 15 years of experience in Ophthalmology in the United Kingdom and has completed a post-CCT fellowship in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, UK. Most recently he was a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Head of Service for Ophthalmology at Nottingham University Hospitals, NHS Trust, a large tertiary centre for ophthalmic referrals.
He has undertaken research in myopia, visual impairment, diabetic macular oedema and emergency ophthalmology, amongst other areas and has published over 10 research papers in leading journals. In addition to his research, Dr. Imran is a keen educator and has taught at different UK medical schools and contributed to book chapters in Ophthalmology.
He is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) and is the recipient of several internationally acclaimed awards and recognitions.
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Dr. Syed M. Asad Ali
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and Cataract Surgery
Syed Ali is a Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist with extensive experience in the management of all paediatric eye conditions including congenital eye diseases, paediatric cataracts, paediatric glaucoma, trauma and all types of squints in children and adults.
Syed works with advanced technology and techniques. He has over 10 years of extensive experience in screening and treating retinopathy of prematurity with retinal laser and intravitreal anti VEGF injection. He has wealth of experience in phacoemulsification procedures.
Syed Ali trained and has practiced in the UK and Pakistan and has over 18 years of experience in ophthalmology. After completing his basic specialist training, he undertook a fellowship in paediatric ophthalmology and ocular motility at the world renowned Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary, UK. His training in Pakistan and the UK is recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC) and was placed on specialist register.
In addition to his clinical experience, Syed has undertaken published original research and teaching in his specialist area, including as an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Pakistan Institute of Ophthalmology.
He is a member of several professional bodies including The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, American Academy of Ophthalmology, The British Medical Association, Medical Defense Union and Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh.
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