Eye Tests at school

squibbs25

Morning all,

My dd (5) had an eye test in school on Thursday and we've just recieved a letter from the school to say she has been referred to the hospital as she has poor eye sight in both eyes, with one being worse than the other .
We've never noticed any thing wrong with her eyes, she doesn't strain when reading, neither are there any other obvious signs that there might be a problem.

I am now thinking of booking an appointment at Specsavers in town asap (where i take my ds 10), or should i wait til the hospital appointment?

If there is something wrong i would prefer to get it sorted straight away.

What would other parents be inclined to do?
Thanks for reading.

Squibbs

ParadiseKidd

Firstly don't feel bad for not noticing - your daughter probably hasn't even realised her eyes are 'bad'! I had bad eyesight for years before I clicked around 11 and got glasses... my mum felt terrible, but I wasn't bothered - how could she have known? It hasn't harmed my eyes not wearing glasses for that time! Even now I don't wear them all the time like they say I should because I actually think this can weaken your eyes. If you can do without sometimes then you should take them off!

I don't see why she should need to go to the hospital - if she needs glasses she probably wants a nice pair from specsavers, and the NHS voucher more than covers some really cute styles.

If I was you I would take over from the school on this and book your daughter her own appointment, as this is something you are able to deal with and probably want to know everything that is being said. I expect that the school is doing these tests so that kids who would otherwise miss out on proper eye care will have access to it - they probably expect you to deal with it now anyway really!

I don't think its urgent though, its nothing to panic about. You don't mention your daughter suffering from headaches etc. so she is obviously not in distress. Just make an appointment when you're able to go, and try not to worry or feel guilty at all. She'll have a nice, new pair for the new school year :-)

bunty109

We had this with my DDs hearing. It really worried us so we managed to get a private audiology appointment on our private medicine (fortunately). As it happened, everything was ok and they suspected she failed the school test as she had a cold at the time. The test the hospital arranged through the school took forever to come through (8-9 months), so I would suggest going to Specsavers as you'll wait forever and it's only a sight test that's required!

Don't fret about not noticing it: your little one probably doesn't realise there's anything wrong so they could hardly mention it.

Becles

I would book an opticians appointment just for peace of mind.

My son failed an eye test at school, and had further tests and an opticians test that I took him too. Nothing further was found and the optician said he had perfect vision.

They put it down to him maybe feeling tired or unwell on the day of the school eye test. He's had no further problems since.

Titch89

Did the letter say there was more (or they think) wrong with her eyes than just poor sight?

If the hospital appointment is months away, then I would take her to specsavers and get her tested there.

Since when did they do eye tests in school? I've never had one.

aeuerby

My daughter was tested at school and we were also told that there was a problem and an appointment at the hospital was made.
In the meantime we took her to specsavers (although we now go to vision express who in our case are miles better that specsavers), the hospital appointment came through not long after that.
Anyway the upshot is she has a stigma in her left eye and it was also lazy (or are they one in the same? I can never remember!).
After a year of wearing a patch (and a battle that was) her eyesight improved plus she has glasses.I felt guilty at first as I never noticed anything wrong but since she had her glasses she has come on in leaps and bounds.
Don't feel guilt, it doesn't achieve anything. Focus on sorting out the problem and know that you are doing the best for your child!

bestpud

Don't beat yourself up for not noticing. My children have had regular eye tests, at our opticians, since they were 9 mnths old. Yet, ds's eyes went short sighted and deteriorated quite badly between his annual appointments. We had no idea or would have got him back their sooner! It just happens that way sometimes.

Both my older two went short sighted at about the age our youngest is now so I have asked (and the optician agreed) if she can be tested every six months (the NHS only usually cover one a year unless there is a reason for them being more frequent) in case the same happens with her.

I would take him to the opticians, personally. It is free for children so I've never really understood why people don't take their children anyway. But then I've got a squint and has an astigmatism when younger so I'm perhaps that's why I'm more cautious.

It will put your mind at rest anyway and if he does need specs, the sooner the better imo.

squibbs25

Thanks for the replies.

I will make her an appointment today while i am in town.
She had her eyes tested in Aug last year and there was nothing noted then.

I read the letter and as silly as it sounds, was quite shocked.
I thought maybe i was over reacting about not waiting for hospital appointment.

Thanks again, have a good day,
Squibbs