Description of Services

The Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, as part of the UPMC Eye Center, provides examination, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of ocular, eye movement and vision system disorders in neonates, infants and children. Conditions for which patients are referred include:

• Strabismus, a condition in which the eyes are out of line relative to one another, resulting in a permanent squint.
• Nystagmus, a condition of involuntary, usually side-to-side movements of the eyeballs that often accompanies other vision problems.
• Amblyopia, a vision weakness of one eye that is often referred to as “lazy eye.”
• Refractive errors, nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
• Pediatric cataracts, a build-up of material on the lens of the eye.
• Pediatric glaucoma, a build-up of fluid within the eye.
• Craniofacial syndromes such as tumors and abnormally shaped skulls.
• Retinopathy of prematurity, a degenerative condition of the retina.
• Eye and vision disorders associated with genetic diseases and diseases of metabolism, the nervous system and immune system.

Referral Requirements

Referrals are required from primary care physicians or other Children’s Hospital specialty services. Referrals for patients enrolled in managed care insurance plans also may require authorization from the insurance provider and primary care physician. All necessary referral and authorization forms must be received before the patient’s visit. For accurate provider numbers or more information, please call the office number listed.

Chief of Service
Richard W. Hertle, MD, FAAO, FACS, FAAP

Staff Ophthalmologist
Christin L. Sylvester, DO

Staff Scientists
Valerie Fu, PhD
Dongsheng Yang, PhD

Pediatric Fellow
Kenneth Adams, DO

Operations Manager
Rose Cloherty

Program Coordinator
Roxanne Caterino, COA

Pediatric Optometry Contact Lens & Low Vision
Craig Luchansky, OD

Consulting Physicians
Randall L. Beatty, MD
Robert L. Bergen, MD
David G. Buerger, MD
Puwat Charukamnoetkanok, MD
Kenneth Cheng, MD
Vicki Christopoulos, MD
Andrew Eller, MD
Darren Hoover, MD
Jane Hughes, MD
Louis A. Lobes, MD
Francis S. Mah, MD
Karl R. Olsen, MD
Joe Paviglianiti, MD
Susan T. Stefko, MD
Jenny Yu, MD

Support Staff
Melissa Brinza
Cheryl Kenaan

UPMC Eye Center
Chairman of Ophthalmology
Joel Schuman, MD