Vision Center
We 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. People travel from all over the world to our vision center for advanced treatment in rare eye diseases such as congenital nystagmus.
Advanced treatment.
We offer the latest in diagnostics and care for children with vision problems, no matter how simple or complex. Led by renowned pediatric ophthalmologist Richard Hertle, our team of ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, ophthalmic techs, scientists and others is committed to improving the quality of life for you and your child.
We use technology to perform imaging and physiological evaluation of visual systems, and incorporate specialized tests and procedures, such as ERGs and EMRs, to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
We also offer the following specialty programs to allow patients to receive multiple appointments in one day, in one location.
- Uveitis Clinic. Uveitis is swelling and irritation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, which provides most of the blood supply to the retina. It can be caused by autoimmune diseases such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, infection or exposure to toxins.
- Nystagmus Clinic. Nystagmus refers to rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes (dancing eyes). It affects one in about 3,000 people, and many of these individuals are partially sighted. Dr. Richard Hertle is one of the only physicians in the world who performs the horizontal tenotomy to improve congenital nystagmus.
- Adult Strabismus Clinic. Strabismus, often referred to as crossed eyes, refers to any misalignment of the eyes. The eyes may turn in, out, up or down. If the same eye is chronically misaligned, amblyopia (lazy eye) may also develop in that eye.
Locations
Contact Vision Center
Akron Children's Hospital Pediatric Ophthalmology & Optometry, Akron
Considine Professional Building
215 West Bowery Street
Level 2
Akron, Ohio 44308
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Map & directions
Akron Children's Hospital Pediatric Ophthalmology & Optometry, Boardman
Building C
6505 Market Street
Suite 1100
Boardman, Ohio 44512
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Map & directions
Akron Children's Hospital Vision, Boston Heights
Akron Children's Health Center
328 East Hines Hill Road
Boston Heights, Ohio 44236
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Akron Children's Hospital Pediatric Ophthalmology & Optometry, Medina
Akron Children's Health Center
3443 Medina Road
Door 1 (Suite 108)
Medina, Ohio 44256
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Akron Children's Hospital Pediatric Ophthalmology & Optometry, Canton
Akron Children's Health Center
6076 Whipple Avenue
North Canton, Ohio 44720
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Map & directions
Our Doctors/Providers
Richard Hertle, MD, FAAO, FACS, FAAP
Director, Pediatric Ophthalmology; Dr. Boomer and Jill Burnstine Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology; Pediatric Ophthalmologist
Clinics
Videos
Open Clinical Studies
A study testing the BrainPort® artificial vision system
We are studying whether a medical device called the BrainPort® can help blind children. The device includes a video camera mounted on top of a pair of glasses. The camera sends signals to a special tongue pad held in the mouth. Using this device, the brain “learns” to detect visual information such as shapes and movement. Walking a 40-foot obstacle course your child will learn to locate various objects. Two groups of children will participate: children who are blind and those with normal vision. Twenty children will be in the study which may take up to 6 two-hour visits. The study takes about a month to complete.
For full study description please visit: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02643238?term=BrainPort&rank=2
More about this study...
Currently recruiting
What Should Families Expect When They Come for an Appointment?
At Akron Children’s, your child’s health and safety is our priority. Please continue to bring your child for wellness visits, vaccinations or sick care appointments that keep children healthy. We want to assure you that we have taken additional precautions to ensure a safe environment for your child and family. The following are additional safety efforts, in addition to our normal cleaning protocols, that we are taking to help you be comfortable bringing your child to an appointment.
Limiting the Number of Caregivers and Face Covering
The number of caregivers permitted to accompany a child to an appointment is dependent on the department you are visiting. Everyone visiting an Akron Children's facility is asked to wear masks or face coverings, except for kids under 2 or those with sensory issues. Masks will be provided for visitors who do not bring their own.
Checking In and Screening of Visitors
Akron Children's now offers Mobile Check-in to limit your exposure to others. You'll receive a text an hour before your child's appointment arrival time. Click the link in the text when you reach the Akron Children's facility for your child's appointment. You will receive a confirmation text that reminds you to wait in your car. Once we determine appropriate spacing is available inside the building, you'll receive a third text to let you know it's OK to come in for your appointment.
Immediately upon entering the building, your temperature will be taken, either by a thermal scanner or a greeter who will also ask you a few questions.
If you are in a waiting room, you’ll notice signs and a limited number of chairs. This is to remind our patients to keep 6 feet of physical distance between your family and others.
Precautions If You Suspect Your Child Has COVID-19
Call your child’s healthcare professional if your child is sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing and has been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Your health care professional will work with Ohio’s public health department and the CDC to determine if your child needs to be tested for COVID-19.
View all the safety precautions Akron Children's is taking.
About Insurance
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.
Contact Lens Program
Children with certain medical conditions of the eye, such as nystagmus and aphakia, may benefit from wearing contact lenses, including children as young as infants. Older children who are prescribed glasses may also be able to wear contact lenses to correct routine vision problems. This is based on their specific vision problem and level of maturity, including whether they’ll be able to follow instructions for cleaning and handling their contact lenses.
The optometrist at Akron Children's Vision Center is specially trained in fitting children in contact lenses. First, our staff will determine your insurance coverage and whether your child’s condition is related to a medical or vision problem. Insurance coverage for contact lenses varies, so we will determine what portion of the exam, contact lens fitting and contact lenses will be covered.
At the fitting appointment, our optometrist and child-friendly staff will teach your child how to properly clean, insert and remove the lenses. After about two weeks, you and your child will return for a follow-up visit to make sure they are comfortable wearing contact lenses, no further modifications are needed and to answer any of your questions. After the final contact lens fitting, you will receive a copy of your child's contact lens prescription.
We can fill your child’s initial contact lens prescription as well as provide refills by mail within one year of your child’s eye exam. Rather than periodic refills, you may also choose to fill your child’s entire yearly prescription at once.
Some of the Conditions We Treat...
congenital nystagmus, strabismus, juvenile glaucoma, pediatric cataracts, lazy eye, retinopathy of prematurity, amblyopia, uveitis, strabismus, crossed eyes, Amblyopia, Astigmatism, Cataracts, Congenital Glaucoma, Congenital Nystagmus, Farsightedness, Infantile Cataracts, Myopia, Refractive Errors, Retinoblastoma, Retinopathy of Prematurity
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