Setting Kids Up for Success: Dr. de Castro on Pediatric Vision, Low-Dose Atropine & Partnering with OSRX
Setting Kids Up for Success
Dr. de Castro on Pediatric Vision, Low-Dose Atropine & Partnering with OSRX
Dr. Alex de Castro-Abeger is a board-certified pediatric ophthalmologist and adult strabismus specialist based in Los Angeles. He earned his MD from Tufts, completed residency and fellowship training at Vanderbilt Eye Institute, and holds an MBA in healthcare management from Brandeis University. He is the founder of Pediatric Eye Care in Redondo Beach, where he specializes in surgical and medical treatment of childhood eye conditions and advocates for early intervention and patient education.
As childhood myopia continues to rise at an alarming rate, proactive vision care during the early years is more essential than ever. For Dr. Alex de Castro-Abeger (de Castro for short), a pediatric ophthalmologist with a passion for both innovation and personalized care, vision treatment goes beyond clarity—it’s about setting the stage for a child’s developmental success.
“With adults, we’re usually correcting for clarity,” says Dr. de Castro. “But in kids, we’re helping the brain learn to interpret visual input. That’s why early and individualized care is so crucial.”
A Clinical Approach to Low-Dose Atropine
Dr. de Castro was first introduced to low-dose atropine during his training at Vanderbilt University while working alongside a pediatric optometrist on a U.S.-based clinical study. Though the study was unrelated to compounded formulations, it shaped his long-term approach to supporting myopia care.
“Since then, I’ve continued offering it as a therapeutic option when clinically appropriate,” he shares. “Over time, I’ve refined my prescribing strategy based on patient needs, tolerability, and clinical experience.”
“Many families find the drop bottles easy to use. Most of my patients apply them several nights a week, and I’ve received positive feedback about the formulations being well tolerated. The fact that the bottles are shelf-stable has also helped with consistency—especially for families juggling busy schedules or travel.”
Note: Atropine medications carry serious risks, including eye pain and stinging on administration, blurred vision and photophobia. Click here to view potential adverse events and contraindications. Compounded atropine formulations have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy and are prescribed based on individual patient need.
Why He Chose OSRX
After relocating, Dr. de Castro sought a pharmacy partner that could meet his high standards for patient care and ease of prescribing. Colleagues pointed him toward OSRX—and he hasn’t looked back.
“One of the biggest benefits is how seamless the process is,” he explains. “I can send prescriptions directly from my EMR with eRx integration—no extra steps or portals.”
As an alternative, OSRX also offers a Prescriber Portal to submit and track prescriptions, along with a Patient Portal for easy refills, access to prescription info, and secure payments.
His patients and their families appreciate the experience just as much.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from those previously relying on frozen drops with short expiration dates. Now, patients receive a single shelf-stable bottle each month, which simplifies things significantly.”
A Broader Vision for Pediatric Eye Care
For Dr. de Castro, pediatric vision care is about more than managing eyesight. It’s about equipping kids with the tools they need to engage fully in life—from the classroom to the playground and beyond.
“When kids can see clearly, they can learn, play, and explore with confidence. Vision care is foundational to their quality of life and overall development,” he says. “When we intervene early, we’re not just treating eyesight—we’re supporting their future.”
Looking for a Simpler Way to Support Pediatric Vision Care?
OSRX supports eye care professionals with services that make it easier to provide compounded low-dose atropine when appropriate for pediatric patients.
✅ Seamless prescribing via eRx or the
OSRX Prescriber Portal
✅ Shelf-stable formulations
✅ Direct-to-doorstep delivery
✅ Ongoing refill support
Connect with an OSRX sales representative to learn how we can benefit your patients and your practice:
Professional Disclosure: Dr. de Castro is on the Medical Advisory Board for Ocular Science® (an affiliate of OSRX) and has a financial interest in the company.
Atropine medications carry serious risks, including eye pain and stinging on administration, blurred vision and photophobia. Click here to view potential adverse events and contraindications. For professional use only. OSRX specializes in customizing compounded medications to meet unique patient and practitioner needs. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, which means they have not undergone FDA premarket review for safety, effectiveness, and quality.