Meet Amanda L. Ely, MD, an expert pediatric ophthalmologist with the Division of Ophthalmology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Dr. Ely has been caring for children with conditions of the eye for over 11 years and joined CHOP as an attending physician in 2026. She cares for children with a range of eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts and corneal conditions, and eye misalignment.
Q: What inspired your interest in ophthalmology?
A: I began medical school knowing I wanted to work with children. Initially, I thought I wanted to work in pediatric oncology, however, my time on pediatric general surgery convinced me that I had the skill, talent and desire to pursue a pediatric surgical specialty. I first entertained an elective rotation in plastic surgery, spending much time in the craniofacial clinics. My final elective, however, in ophthalmology solidified my desire to work in a specialty that offered surgical expertise in pediatric care but also the opportunity to watch the children grow and form that special bond through clinical continuity of care.
Q: Why did you choose to specialize in pediatrics?
A: From my time learning early-childhood development in high school, to my elementary tutoring experiences in college, and then to my preference for always selecting pediatric rotations when available in medical school, I have always known I wanted to work with children!
Q: Discuss the challenges and rewards of pediatric ophthalmology.
A: Challenges: My mentor in fellowship would always remind me that even though I could not control why the child had the disease, I could always help! There are days in pediatric ophthalmology in which I have to break devastating news to patients and their families. This can range from discussing why their child may never be able to drive, how their child’s eye diagnosis may lead to permanent blindness, or even why their child’s eye diagnosis may be part of a life-altering or life-limiting diagnosis. Despite having to share such devastating news, and in times where my clinical skill and surgical skill is unable to make things better, I can still be there to help guide the patient and family toward the next step, hold their hands, cry with them, and follow them on their long journey.
Rewards: The best reward of pediatric ophthalmology is watching the children grow! I love forming connections with not only the child but the parents, sharing life stories, the good times and even the bad. I love seeing the smile on a child’s face when I enter the room and especially the running hug! I remind my trainees that an exam in pediatric ophthalmology should be like a game for you and the child! A game makes the hard parts less daunting for both parties and can make the day pass so much more easily and with many more smiles!
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your new role at CHOP?
A: I am so excited to be part of a pediatric-centered team! My first 11 years as an attending physician was part of a small pediatric group surrounded by an adult practice. To be a part of a pediatric-only group means I will be with like-minded people who love children just as much as I do and will share the same mission of best care for the child!
Q: Tell us about your approach to caring for children and working with families.
A: I think of examining a child like playing a game with the child. I will call various pieces of ophthalmologic equipment funny names like “fancy flashlights,” the “eye doctor motorcycle” and even “the crazy hat.” I try to focus on the child’s needs and even developmental level to customize my exam techniques to each patient. The more comfortable the child is with me, the more information they will allow me to gather about their eyes, which improves my ability to come to the correct diagnosis and treatment plan. I see family members as my partners in helping the child improve both in their ability to participate in the eye exam and for completing any treatment recommendations I give. I love teaching the family about why we do what we do, how this translates into their child’s diagnosis, what this diagnosis means, and what we can do about it — though sometimes this means I give the parents “homework” to complete with their child to prepare for the next visit.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: My free time is very full and not always free!
I have three boys of my own, one of whom is special needs. I spend a lot of time with my boys both in leisure, appointments and lots of homework!
I love to run and have tried to instill this love into my boys as well. My oldest son and I have completed two half marathons together, and my two younger sons have run a handful of 5K races with me — sometimes willing and sometimes not!
My personal hobbies are actually construction and home improvement! When I was growing up, my dad was a master plumber, and he has taught me how to do my own plumbing, electric, drywall, framing, you name it. We have worked on many projects together over the years including constructing a new bathroom from scratch!
My family also LOVES animals, meaning we have a mini-zoo in our home, and I have volunteered to foster animals for our local humane society in the past.
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Meet Amanda L. Ely, MD, an expert pediatric ophthalmologist with the Division of Ophthalmology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Dr. Ely has been caring for children with conditions of the eye for over 11 years and joined CHOP as an attending physician in 2026. She cares for children with a range of eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts and corneal conditions, and eye misalignment.
Q: What inspired your interest in ophthalmology?
A: I began medical school knowing I wanted to work with children. Initially, I thought I wanted to work in pediatric oncology, however, my time on pediatric general surgery convinced me that I had the skill, talent and desire to pursue a pediatric surgical specialty. I first entertained an elective rotation in plastic surgery, spending much time in the craniofacial clinics. My final elective, however, in ophthalmology solidified my desire to work in a specialty that offered surgical expertise in pediatric care but also the opportunity to watch the children grow and form that special bond through clinical continuity of care.
Q: Why did you choose to specialize in pediatrics?
A: From my time learning early-childhood development in high school, to my elementary tutoring experiences in college, and then to my preference for always selecting pediatric rotations when available in medical school, I have always known I wanted to work with children!
Q: Discuss the challenges and rewards of pediatric ophthalmology.
A: Challenges: My mentor in fellowship would always remind me that even though I could not control why the child had the disease, I could always help! There are days in pediatric ophthalmology in which I have to break devastating news to patients and their families. This can range from discussing why their child may never be able to drive, how their child’s eye diagnosis may lead to permanent blindness, or even why their child’s eye diagnosis may be part of a life-altering or life-limiting diagnosis. Despite having to share such devastating news, and in times where my clinical skill and surgical skill is unable to make things better, I can still be there to help guide the patient and family toward the next step, hold their hands, cry with them, and follow them on their long journey.
Rewards: The best reward of pediatric ophthalmology is watching the children grow! I love forming connections with not only the child but the parents, sharing life stories, the good times and even the bad. I love seeing the smile on a child’s face when I enter the room and especially the running hug! I remind my trainees that an exam in pediatric ophthalmology should be like a game for you and the child! A game makes the hard parts less daunting for both parties and can make the day pass so much more easily and with many more smiles!
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your new role at CHOP?
A: I am so excited to be part of a pediatric-centered team! My first 11 years as an attending physician was part of a small pediatric group surrounded by an adult practice. To be a part of a pediatric-only group means I will be with like-minded people who love children just as much as I do and will share the same mission of best care for the child!
Q: Tell us about your approach to caring for children and working with families.
A: I think of examining a child like playing a game with the child. I will call various pieces of ophthalmologic equipment funny names like “fancy flashlights,” the “eye doctor motorcycle” and even “the crazy hat.” I try to focus on the child’s needs and even developmental level to customize my exam techniques to each patient. The more comfortable the child is with me, the more information they will allow me to gather about their eyes, which improves my ability to come to the correct diagnosis and treatment plan. I see family members as my partners in helping the child improve both in their ability to participate in the eye exam and for completing any treatment recommendations I give. I love teaching the family about why we do what we do, how this translates into their child’s diagnosis, what this diagnosis means, and what we can do about it — though sometimes this means I give the parents “homework” to complete with their child to prepare for the next visit.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: My free time is very full and not always free!
I have three boys of my own, one of whom is special needs. I spend a lot of time with my boys both in leisure, appointments and lots of homework!
I love to run and have tried to instill this love into my boys as well. My oldest son and I have completed two half marathons together, and my two younger sons have run a handful of 5K races with me — sometimes willing and sometimes not!
My personal hobbies are actually construction and home improvement! When I was growing up, my dad was a master plumber, and he has taught me how to do my own plumbing, electric, drywall, framing, you name it. We have worked on many projects together over the years including constructing a new bathroom from scratch!
My family also LOVES animals, meaning we have a mini-zoo in our home, and I have volunteered to foster animals for our local humane society in the past.
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