The Vision Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles is an international referral center for children with complex eye diseases and is the only program of its kind in the United States with expertise in virtually every pediatric ophthalmologic subspecialty.

Working in six separate institutes, its physician-scientists are helping children to see every day through the latest medical and surgical treatments, as well as cutting-edge research that will change the lives of families across the globe.

About The Vision Center

We are an international referral center known for friendly environment for children with all forms of eye disease.

We are the only program in the nation with expertise in virtually every pediatric ophthalmologic subspecialty.

Through our use of the latest medical diagnostic protocols, surgical treatments, and cutting-edge research, we treat a range of complex eye diseases in infants to young adults.

For Parents and Families

Eye Health Guide

Learn all about the eye and access resources that will help you keep your child's eyes healthy now and for years to come.

Know the Glow

By sharing these stories virtually, The Vision Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles is leveraging the power of e-mail and social networks to empower parents with information they can use while looking through their child's photos. Learn more about the Know the Glow campaign.

Our Patients' Stories

An entire issue of our hospital's Imagine Magazine is filled with stories of patients treated by The Vision Center, an international referral center known for a friendly environment for children with all forms of eye diseases. Download Imagine Magazine

Commonly Treated Conditions

Physicians provide consultations and care management for pediatric ophthalmology conditions listed below. Physician expertise is divided by the Institutes of The Vision Center.

The Retina Program

  • Retinopathy of Prematurity
  • Retinoblastoma
  • Coats Disease
  • Retinal Detachment
  • Hereditary Retinal Degeneration

The Cornea Program

  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Peter's Anomaly
  • Anisometropia
  • Refractive Surgery
  • Corneal Transplants

The Eye Birth Defects Program

  • Hydrocephalus
  • Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
  • Coloboma
  • Hypopituitarism
  • Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
  • Septo-Optic Dysplasia
  • Aniridia
  • Morning Glory Syndrome

The Orbit and Eye Movement Program

  • Strabismus
  • Esotropia
  • Hypertropia
  • Hypotropia
  • Amblyopia
  • Pseudostrabismus
  • Extraocular Muscles
  • Convergence Insufficiency
  • Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
  • Adult Strabismus

The Vision Development Program

  • Strabismus
  • Esotropia
  • Exotropia
  • Amblyopia
  • Refractive Surgery
  • Myopia
  • Hypermetropia
  • Astigmatism
  • Anisometropia
  • Presbyopia

The Eye Technology Program

  • Raman Spectroscopy
  • Intracranial Pressure Monitor
  • Preferential Looking Test

Programs

In the News

Our physicians are making news in Southern California and beyond. Below are links to the latest news outlets carrying our stories.

Video

Audio

Recent Press Releases

News Stories

Pasadena Star Magazine   
Children's Hospital Los Angeles Opens Outpatient Center in Arcadia
November 16, 2010

Parents Magazine   
Summer Eye Soothers   
August 2010

Fox News   
Treating Children's Cataracts   
April 15, 2010

Ocular Surgery News   
Episcleral Drug Reservoir Poised to Enter Phase I/II Clinical Trials   
October 10, 2009

Medical Device Daily   
A Tiny Silicone Cup Improves Drug Delivery for Eye Diseases   
August 5, 2009

DOTmed News   
Experimental Silicone Cup:  Breakthrough for Eye Disease Patients   
August 13, 2009

Health-e Blog   
When the Visit Gets Tough, Getting Your Child Through Doctors Appointments   
June 10, 2010

Eye Exams:  What to Expect   
June 1, 2009

Early Detection and Treatment is Key for Cross Eyes   
March 3, 2009

Ocular Surgery News   
Surgeon calls for retina specialists to become advocates for Retinopathy of Prematurity patients   
January 23, 2009

Doheny View   
Fall/Winter 2008   
Read full article

La Canada Flintridge Outlook   
Local Doctor Focuses on Children's Vision   
October 2, 2008

Health Forum Feature on Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH)   
April 12, 2008   

National Public Radio   
Doctor: China's Stem-Cell Therapy for Kids is Risky   
March 19, 2008

Ocular Surgery News   
Physician explains challenges of diagnosing retinoblastoma   
November 15, 2007

Research

Support Our Research

If you are interested in any Vision Center research initiatives, we would be glad to discuss our passions and findings with you.

We value the breakthroughs that have resulted in the work of our research-physicians and look forward to sharing our mission.

Donate Online   
When you are linked to the donation page under the About Your Donation section, please specify the area you wish to give. Please include one of the following account options in the Comments About This Gift box.

Cornea Institute Research

At the Cornea Institute, we pursue an energetic research agenda designed to benefit children with a wide range of corneal disorders and advance the state of knowledge in this field.

For Cornea related published research, visit the bio for Bibiana Jin Reiser, MD. 

Eye Birth Defects Institute Research

The Eye Birth Defects Institute treats and studies congenital diseases that result in anatomic abnormalities of the eye and optic nerve. It is conducting the largest clinical study in the world to determine outcomes and risk factors involved with optic nerve hypoplasia.

For Eye Birth Defects published research, visit the bios for:

Eye Technology Institute Research

In collaboration with the world-renowned Jet Propulsion Laboratory and The California Institute of Technology, we endow the utmost reliable resources possible for pediatric eye care and unite with award winning technology specialists and researchers.

For Eye Technology published research, visit the bio for Mark S. Borchert, MD.

Orbit & Eye Movement Institute Research

The Orbit & Eye Movement Institute is dedicated to studying the most effective methods for detecting ocular and muscle conditions, such as the usefulness of red reflex testing, to find eye disease in children. 

For Orbit & Eye Movement published research, visit the bio for Angela N. Buffenn, MD, MPH.

Retina Institute Research

Our commitment to research in the Retina Institute has led to the development of new knowledge about complex retinal diseases and solutions for the children affected by them.

For Retina published research, visit the bio for:

Vision Development Research

The Vision Development Institute is dedicated to helping children with conditions that affect the normal development of vision by studying interactions between both eyes at the level of the brain’s visual areas and in finding better ways to recognize which children are at greatest risk for future vision problems.

To find research published by our team members, visit the bio of Kristina Tarczy-Hornoch, MD, DPhil.

Our Locations

The Vision Center is open at our Sunset Campus for your child's ophthalmology needs. Call 323-361-2347 to make an appointment.

Ophthalmology services are offered at a number of our Specialty Care Centers:

We also have an office at:

Children's Hospital Los Angeles Medical Group: Encino Ophthalmology   
5400 Balboa Blvd. Suite 131   
Encino, CA 91316   
818-783-9700

NOTE: This location is across the street from the Specialty Care Center of Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

The Ophthalmology office is in the 3 story mirrored building on the EAST side of Balboa Blvd.