We look beyond what we see

Helping kids SEE the world clearly, and face it bravely.

Expert paediatric eye care for children from birth to 16 years, in a world built for kids, with real support for parents walking the journey beside them.

Dr Claire in the Kids Eyes practice
10,000+ children helped
Across South Africa & beyond
16+ years' experience
Specialist paediatric ophthalmology
and adult strabismus
🎓
Internationally qualified
MBBCh, FCOphth (SA)
Paediatric Ophthalmology (Canada)
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How Dr Claire helps

You know something is not quite right. Here is what we do about it.

From a first eye test to specialised surgery, Dr Claire covers the full path of children's eye care, all under one roof, all explained in plain language.

Children's eye tests

Children's eye tests

"I think my child cannot see properly."

Comprehensive paediatric eye examinations, gentle, unhurried, and paced for a child.

Dr Claire's specialism
Squints and strabismus

Squints & strabismus

"One of their eyes turns in or out."

Diagnosis and surgical correction of squints, in children and adults. This is Dr Claire's particular area of expertise.

Lazy eye and patching

Lazy eye (amblyopia) & patching

"We have been told to patch, and it is a battle."

Treatment for amblyopia (lazy eye), with real support to make patching work in everyday life.

Specialised eye surgery

Specialised eye surgery

"My child needs an operation and I am scared."

Advanced microsurgery, including paediatric cataracts and non-penetrating glaucoma surgery.

School vision screenings

School vision screenings

"How do I know if there is a problem at all?"

The Eye Buddies programme screens children on-site, from birth to 16 years.

Myopia management

Myopia management

"My child's glasses keep getting stronger."

Helping slow the progression of short-sightedness and protect long-term eye health.

Not sure what you need?

Start with a consultation. Dr Claire will examine your child and explain exactly what is going on, and what comes next.

Dr Claire's offices are based in Northcliff, Johannesburg, South Africa and she also offers virtual consultations.

Step inside Kids Eyes

A place where children love to SEE.

The moment your child walks in, the clinic disappears. Hand-painted forests, friendly faces, and a calm that turns nervous little visitors into curious explorers.

Because an eye exam goes a whole lot better when a child actually wants to be there. That is the Kids Eyes difference, and it is painted right onto our walls.

Four rooms, four seasons. Each one hand-painted into its own little world, so every visit feels like somewhere new.

Come visit us →
The Brave Eye journey

A diagnosis can feel overwhelming. We turn it into a path you can follow.

Three clear stages, so you always know where you are and what comes next. Simple, practical, and designed to support your family every step of the way.

01
Understand

Understand

A thorough, gentle assessment. You will leave understanding exactly what is happening, explained clearly and simply, without the jargon.

02
Treatment and support

Treatment and Support

Glasses, patching, drops or surgery, together we will create a treatment plan that fits your child's needs and support your family along the way.

03
Progress

Progress

Steady, measurable improvement, with small wins tracked and celebrated, because consistency beats perfection.

Dr Claire reading in the Kids Eyes story corner
🎓
Dr Claire
Paediatric Ophthalmologist
Meet Dr Claire

Expert care that feels human.

Dr Claire Cullen is a paediatric ophthalmologist with over 16 years of specialist experience, advanced microsurgery training, and an international fellowship in paediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus.

She founded Kids Eyes with a simple belief: families deserve more than a diagnosis. They deserve clear answers, practical guidance, and support that helps treatment work in real life.

"My job is not just to diagnose a problem. It is to help families understand what is happening, know what comes next, and feel confident about the journey ahead."
International fellowship in paediatric ophthalmology & adult strabismus
Advanced microsurgery and paediatric cataract expertise
16+ years of specialist experience caring for children

Known for her calm, practical approach, Dr Claire combines specialist expertise with genuine understanding of what families are going through.

Book with Dr Claire →
The eye-care library

Understanding your child's eyes, one clear answer at a time.

Common childhood eye conditions, explained simply by Dr Claire. What it is, what to look for, and what happens next.

Articles & Guides

Practical help, written by Dr Claire

Practical guides from Dr Claire for the moments in between appointments. Real answers, and the stories behind them, for the things parents ask us every day.

Browse by category
Brave Eye Courses

Patching is hard. We are making it doable.

Patch to Progress is an online programme from Dr Claire that walks parents through patching treatment step by step, with the practical tricks and encouragement that turn a daily battle into a routine your child can be proud of.

Join the waitlist →
Dr Claire with the brave eye mascots
Coming soon
Children proudly wearing decorated eye patches
The Brave Eye Club · Free to join

No parent should walk this road alone.

The Brave Eye Club is our free community for any parent navigating a child's eye condition. Real stories, shared wins, and the reassurance that thousands of families are walking the same path beside you.

Open to everyone. You do not need to be a patient or a course member to belong here.

Join the community →
Parent voices

What families say.

I was dreading the patching. I thought it would be months of fighting him every day. Dr Claire and her team made it feel manageable, and somewhere along the way it just became part of our routine. He is doing so well, and I finally feel like we are not on our own.
A Kids Eyes parent
For the first time I walked out of an appointment actually understanding what was going on with my daughter's eyes. Dr Claire explained everything in plain language and gave us a clear plan, not just a diagnosis.
A Kids Eyes parent
My son was so nervous about seeing an eye doctor, but the practice is built for kids. He was relaxed within minutes and now he actually asks when we are going back. That alone was worth everything.
A Kids Eyes parent
What stood out for us was the support between appointments. We never felt like we were left to figure the hard parts out alone, and that made a real difference to how we coped as a family.
A Kids Eyes parent
Dr Claire took the time to listen to our worries and never made us feel rushed. You can tell she genuinely cares about the children she sees, not just the condition she is treating.
A Kids Eyes parent

Every brave eye starts with a first step.

Book your child's visit with Dr Claire today.