Answers from an alum
Q & A with UF College of Medicine alumnus and ophthalmologist Casey Beal, M.D. ‘09
Aug. 15, 2017 — Casey Beal, M.D. ’09, calls his job as a pediatric ophthalmologist a fun yet challenging balancing act.
“You’re entertaining, distracting and examining the child all at once,” he said. “I like feeling like I’ve made a difference for these children. If you correct a child’s vision early on, they will have 70 to 80 years of good vision ahead of them.”
Beal discovered his love for ophthalmology in his fourth year at the UF College of Medicine. After completing an ophthalmology rotation that intertwined time in the clinic and the operating room, Beal knew the constantly evolving field would soon become his life’s work. Beal completed a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus (“wandering eye” or “crossed eye”) at the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and the University of Texas Southwestern, where he also taught courses in ophthalmology. Today, he is an assistant professor of pediatric ophthalmology and the associate program director for the ophthalmology residency program at the UF College of Medicine.
Doctor Gator asked Dr. Beal a few questions to prepare families for August, named National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.
When should parents bring their child in for their first eye exam?
“Children should receive their first vision exam during their initial visit with the pediatrician. The doctors at UF Health use screening tools that can detect vision problems as early as 6 months. If a problem is detected, the pediatrician will recommend a pediatric ophthalmologist.”
What are some telltale signs a child may be experiencing vision problems?
“If a child isn’t reacting to faces or tracking objects by 3-6 months, that’s an indicator of vision problems. Other concerns are crossing or drifting of the eyes, or if a child gets really close to objects to be able to see them.”
What are some vision issues children experience?
“Amblyopia, or weaker vision in one eye, is common. Other issues could be blocked tear ducts, or pediatric cataracts, which are rare, but one of my clinical specialties. Sometimes children are born with them, or they could be the result of trauma.”
What techniques do you recommend children practice to maintain eye health?
“We see a lot of sports injuries — a lot of elbows to the eye or BB gun accidents. Whenever you’re using any sort of projectile or playing sports, especially baseball, tennis or racquetball, you should wear safety glasses. These can be prescription or regular plastic.”
What is one piece of advice you have for parents with young children?
“I see a lot of older children who didn’t get adequately screened early enough. If lazy eye (amblyopia) isn’t treated in early childhood, treatment options are limited. Once connections between the brain and eye are formed with age, it’s harder to make changes. Think of these connections as drying cement. Make sure your child is appropriately screened by their pediatrician or pediatric ophthalmologist early, before it becomes less treatable.”
