If children have eye complaints due to a very rare condition such as ADOA, a quick and correct diagnosis is very important. The cause must be found quickly in order to start treatment and rehabilitation in time. It is not always easy to examine children. Especially when they are still small. It is a specialism. Experienced ophthalmologists from Bartiméus perform these types of examinations. They can use the latest diagnostic techniques and work in a child-oriented manner.
Child-oriented research
What does a study of children for a condition like ADOA look like?
In the Bartiméus Diagnostic Center (ophthalmology) in Zeist the ophthalmologists use special research methods. For example, extensive colour vision, imaging and electrophysiology. They also arrange for DNA research to be done. It is important during the research that a lot of attention is paid to 'child-oriented' work. This means that a lot of time is taken, the methods for the research are tailored to children and it is carefully checked whether a child is not being overburdened.
“My fellow ophthalmologists and I have a lot of knowledge and years of experience with children and ADOA. I am currently supervising a PhD research into hereditary 'opticopathies', which also includes ADOA. These types of research enrich our knowledge and we find that incredibly important,” says Mies van Genderen, Ophthalmologist at Bartiméus and Professor at UMC Utrecht.
Educational guidance
Child-oriented work is also important when guiding children with a visual impairment who go to school. They often go to school in the neighborhood and can receive outpatient educational guidance there, for example from Bartiméus. The school counselor ensures that students who are partially sighted can participate optimally in the classroom. The guidance is carefully tailored to the student, the type of education, the learning phase and the support questions.
More information about the possibilities of guidance at school can be found on this web page: Guidance at your own school – Bartimeus
What else does Bartiméus do?
If you have a visual impairment, you can go to Bartiméus for diagnostics, daily support and education or educational guidance. Bartiméus has its own schools, residential facilities and all kinds of day care. It doesn't matter how old you are. They examine and support children and (young) adults who are partially sighted or blind.
Bartiméus also conducts a lot of scientific research and shares knowledge with other organizations and at scientific meetings. If you are interested in learning more about this organization, you can visit this website: Bartimeus, for people who are partially sighted or blind.
