Led by renowned pediatric ophthalmologist Richard Hertle, the vision experts at Akron Children’s Hospital specialize in the comprehensive evaluation, coordinated care and cutting-edge treatment of eye disease and visual system disorders in infants, children, teens and adults who have remaining vision disorders due to childhood eye diseases.
This Akron Children's Center of Excellence features an experienced, skilled team of ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, ophthalmic techs, and scientists. They offer the latest in diagnostics and care for children with vision problems, no matter how simple or complex.
Their advanced treatment for rare eye diseases, such as congenital nystagmus, draws patients from all over the world. Our team also specializes in caring for children with disabilities.
We also offer specialty programs that allow patients to attend multiple appointments in one day, including clinics for uveitis, nystagmus and adult strabismus.
The only children's hospital to offer a clinic dedicated solely to pediatric scleral lenses. Learn more
We’ve treated patients from 8 countries and 34 states.
Dr. Richard Hertle is one of the only physicians in the world who performs the horizontal tenotomy to improve congenital nystagmus.
Director, Pediatric Ophthalmology; Dr. Boomer and Jill Burnstine Endowed Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology; Pediatric Ophthalmologist
Occupational Therapist
Insurance coverage for vision is dependent upon diagnosis and can involve your medical insurance and/or vision care insurance. A diagnosis can only be determined by the provider at the completion of the exam. In addition, coverage varies by company. Please review your insurance plan benefits for vision care in advance of your appointment. In addition, there is a specific test that is done at each yearly exam and possibly each visit depending on the patient's diagnosis (CPT 92015 Refraction). This is often not paid by insurance. For questions about your individual plan please contact your insurance carrier.
Akron Children’s Hospital’s Vision Center prides itself on a commitment to medical education. We offer two fellowship programs, one in optometry and one in ophthalmology, to provide training for the next generation of health care providers.
From a patient family perspective, this means that there will likely be a student present at your appointment. We thank you for your understanding as we take the time to allow these students the opportunity to learn and grow in their medical and health care pursuits.
More information on our optometry fellowship can be found here, and more information on our ophthalmology fellowship can be found here.
Amblyopia, aphakia, astigmatism, blindness, cataracts, congenital glaucoma, congenital nystagmus, crossed eyes, farsightedness, hyperopia, infantile cataracts, juvenile glaucoma, lazy eye, myopia, nearsightedness, pediatric cataracts, refractive errors, retinal disorders, retinoblastoma, retinopathy of prematurity, strabismus, uveitis, vision defects