Paediatric Retina Specialist in Islamabad & Rawalpindi
Retinal disease in children is rare, time-sensitive, and requires a surgeon trained in both paediatric ophthalmology and retinal surgery — a combination very few specialists in Pakistan offer. Dr. Muhammad Amjad trained in paediatric ophthalmology at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London — the UK's leading children's hospital — in addition to his vitreoretinal surgical fellowship. He treats Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), childhood retinal detachment, Coats disease, and other paediatric retinal conditions at Al-Shifa Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi and Blue Area clinic, Islamabad.
Why paediatric retina is a distinct specialty
A child's retina differs from an adult's — still developing, harder to examine, and disease progresses differently, especially in premature babies. Missed or delayed treatment within the critical window can cause permanent, irreversible vision loss, which is why early referral matters enormously.
Paediatric retina requires specific training that most general ophthalmologists, and even general adult-retina specialists, do not have — paediatric examination technique, anaesthesia considerations, and disease patterns unique to children.
Conditions treated
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
- Abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina of premature babies.
- Who's at risk: babies born at <32 weeks gestation or <1,500 g birth weight.
- Treatment: laser photocoagulation, anti-VEGF injection (for select cases), or vitrectomy surgery for advanced or detached cases.
- Urgency: the treatment window is narrow — days to weeks, not months.
Paediatric Retinal Detachment
- Different causes to adult detachment: trauma, high myopia, congenital conditions, advanced ROP.
- Harder to diagnose in young children, who cannot describe symptoms — watch for a white reflection in photos (leukocoria), a sudden inward/outward eye turn, or a child not tracking objects normally.
- Surgical repair uses the same core techniques as in adults — vitrectomy, scleral buckle — adapted for a child's eye.
Coats Disease
- Abnormal blood vessel development causing fluid leakage under the retina, almost always in one eye, typically in boys under 10.
- Can mimic retinoblastoma on initial appearance — an accurate diagnosis matters.
- Treatment: laser, cryotherapy, or surgery, depending on stage.
Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR)
- A genetic condition affecting retinal blood vessel development that runs in families.
- Often mild and undetected — some cases progress to detachment.
- Screening is recommended for siblings and children of affected family members.
Retinoblastoma — referral pathway
Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood eye cancer, most often first noticed as a white pupil reflex (leukocoria). Because it is sight- and life-threatening, suspected cases require same-week assessment. [CONFIRM WITH DR. AMJAD before publishing: exact wording of his role — diagnosis and referral only, or any part of ongoing management — and the name of the oncology centre suspected cases are referred to.] Suspected cases are assessed promptly and referred without delay for coordinated specialist oncology care.
Warning signs parents should never ignore
- White or grey reflection in one or both pupils, especially visible in flash photographs (leukocoria)
- One eye turning inward or outward (new-onset squint)
- A baby who does not seem to track faces or objects by 3 months of age
- Any known premature birth <32 weeks or <1,500 g without an ROP screening on record
- A whitish/grey pupil noticed by a paediatrician, health visitor, or relative
- Sudden loss of red reflex noted at a routine check-up
Any of these signs warrant a same-week ophthalmology assessment — do not wait for the next routine check-up.
What to expect at a paediatric retina assessment
- Dilated retinal examination — younger or less cooperative children may need sedation or general anaesthesia. [CONFIRM exact protocol with Dr. Amjad.]
- Wide-field retinal imaging where available. [CONFIRM specific equipment in use before naming it.]
- A clear discussion with parents of findings, treatment options, and urgency.
- Coordination with the referring paediatrician or neonatologist for ROP cases.
Why choose Dr. Muhammad Amjad
- Paediatric ophthalmology fellowship at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London — the UK's leading children's hospital
- Vitreoretinal surgical fellowship — the same surgeon manages both the paediatric eye exam and any retinal surgery needed, without referring complex cases elsewhere
- FRCOphth qualified
- This dual training — paediatric and retina — is uncommon in Pakistan, where most centres split these across two different specialists
- Clinics at Al-Shifa Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi and Blue Area, Islamabad; urgent and ROP cases prioritised
Frequently asked questions
What is Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and does my baby need screening?
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina of premature babies. Babies born at less than 32 weeks gestation or weighing less than 1,500 g at birth should be screened. Left untreated, ROP can progress to retinal detachment and permanent blindness — but the treatment window is narrow, measured in days to weeks rather than months. If your premature baby has not yet had a retinal screening, contact the clinic promptly.
What does a white reflection in my child's eye (leukocoria) mean?
A white or grey reflection in a child's pupil — most often noticed in flash photographs, where the eye normally shows red-eye — can be a sign of several conditions, including Coats disease, retinal detachment, cataract, or retinoblastoma. It should never be ignored or assumed to be harmless. Any child with this sign should have a prompt, dilated retinal examination to determine the cause and, where needed, urgent referral for further care.
Can retinal detachment happen in children?
Yes. Paediatric retinal detachment has different causes to adult detachment — including trauma, high myopia, congenital conditions, and advanced ROP. It is often harder to diagnose in young children, who cannot describe symptoms, so parents should watch for a white reflection in photos, a sudden inward or outward turn of an eye, or a child who does not track objects normally. Surgical repair uses the same core techniques as in adults — vitrectomy or scleral buckle — adapted for a child's eye.
What is Coats disease?
Coats disease is a condition where abnormal retinal blood vessels leak fluid under the retina, almost always affecting one eye, typically in boys under 10. In its early stages it can resemble retinoblastoma on initial appearance, so an accurate diagnosis matters. Depending on the stage at diagnosis, treatment may involve laser, cryotherapy, or surgery.
Is paediatric eye surgery done under general anaesthesia?
[CONFIRM WITH DR. AMJAD — exact anaesthesia protocol before publishing.] Younger or less cooperative children typically require sedation or general anaesthesia for a full retinal examination or surgery, while older children may be examined without it. The approach is decided individually for each child.
How urgent is a paediatric retina referral?
Paediatric retinal conditions can progress faster than in adults, and a child's visual system is still developing — so delays can cause permanent, irreversible vision loss even when the underlying disease would have been treatable. Any warning sign — a white pupil reflex, a sudden squint, or a missed ROP screening — warrants a same-week assessment rather than waiting for a routine check-up.
Bachay ki aankh mein safed roshni (leukocoria) nazar aaye toh kya karein?
Agar aapke bachay ki aankh mein tasveer khichte waqt safed ya khaakstari roshni nazar aaye — jo aam tor par surkh (red-eye) hoti hai — toh yeh Coats disease, retinal detachment, ya retinoblastoma ki alamat ho sakti hai. Yeh sign kabhi ignore na karein. Fauran Dr. Muhammad Amjad se rabta karein — jo Great Ormond Street Hospital London se paediatric ophthalmology mein trained hain. Al-Shifa Rawalpindi ya Blue Area Islamabad mein appointment: WhatsApp +92 327 850 6363.
Premature baby ki ROP ki wajah se andha pan ho sakta hai — kya ilaj mumkin hai?
Ji haan — agar waqt par ilaj ho jaye toh ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) ka ilaj laser ya injection se mumkin hai aur andhepan se bachaya ja sakta hai. Lekin ilaj ka waqt bohat mehdood hota hai — dair khatarnak ho sakti hai. Agar aapka baby 32 hafte se pehle ya 1500 gram se kam wazan mein paida hua hai aur abhi tak screening nahi hui, toh fauran Dr. Amjad se rabta karein: WhatsApp +92 327 850 6363.
Medical Disclaimer
This page is for general information only. All paediatric cases are assessed individually. If you have urgent concerns about your child's vision, a suspected retinal emergency, or ROP screening, please contact the clinic directly rather than relying on this page.
Related eye care services