On September 28, 2004, Dr. Shira Robbins was pleased to host 27 third graders from a local elementary school in the San Diego area at the Anne and Abraham Ratner Children's Eye Center at the Shiley Eye Center. The students, teachers, and parents invited by Dr. Robbins learned about the eye first hand while experiencing many aspects of a pediatric eye exam and state of the art eye clinic. The Anne and Abraham Ratner Children's Eye Center is unique because it is the only free standing eye clinic in California solely dedicated to treating children's ocular and visual problems. The students' teacher, Mrs. Cynthia Fletcher, wanted her students to visit an eye clinic and learn from a pediatric ophthalmologist to enhance their classroom study of the eye.

Every third grader was given the opportunity to be on the physician's side of the eye microscope and complete a mini eye exam including visual acuity test, color vision, stereoscopic (3D) vision, and simulated refraction exam. Dr. Robbins was assisted by two international fellows specializing in pediatric ophthalmology, Dr. Cintia Gomi from Brazil and Dr. Fay Cruz from the Philippines, a certified orthoptist, Erika Castro, a UCSD medical student Kathryn Langham, and three staff members. Dr. Robbins gave a lesson on the anatomy of the eye, childhood eye disorders such as strabismus and amblyopia, and common treatment options such as eye patching, eyeglass wear, and surgery. The students also participated in eye exercises to learn more about their eye movements lead by Erika Castro. At the end of the trip, the students were given eye workbooks and eye pencils to practice at home what they had learned at the center.

Dr. Robbins specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and eye movement disorders while working in conjunction with Dr. David B. Granet, the Director of the Anne and Abraham Ratner Children's Eye Center. The entire Ratner team worked together to make the field trip a great success. Every student left knowing more about how their eyes work, feeling more comfortable in an eye exam, and understanding the importance of taking good care of their eyes.