MSE Parent Club - Part 2

Js_Other_Half

lwcus78 wrote: »

I. Dont feel embarressed if they break, children will break their glasses (especially little boys!!) Is he under the hospital? I imagine so as he's so young, you could ask for 2 pairs-its the hospital you need to ask. They are not always willing to prescribe 2 pairs (it depends on the prescription and on the policy in your area)

Thanks for this - he is under the hospital but they only gave us one prescription. We chose to go to a private local opticians which is easy to get to with free parking nearby... we thought we could be spending a lot of time there over the next few years:rotfl:

They've been brilliant though, and ordered in frames for him to try. We've agreed on some frames with padding on the arms, and a huge built up bridge on the nose.

SeptemberBaby_2

Js, do 2 year olds get tested as routine? Its something I'm worried about as DH has worn glasses since childhood and I've worn contacts since my early twenties.

xx

Js_Other_Half

SeptemberBaby wrote: »

Js, do 2 year olds get tested as routine? Its something I'm worried about as DH has worn glasses since childhood and I've worn contacts since my early twenties.

xx

No, he was referred to the optometrist after his 7th month check by the HV at my insistence. Both DH and I have lazy eyes, which can be inherited, so I wanted to make sure we caught any issues early.

If you're concerned have a chat with your HV or GP.

Sami_Bee

Sue that story sounds strangely familiar, no idea why :whistle:
SB: its not routine for LOs to have eye tests unless a problem is picked up like a squint or they are bumping into things.
You can take them to an optician once they know letters and numbers which for most is around when they start school:)

JS - does he not have sun glasses?
Chris loves glasses he's obsessed with them.
I wear them all the time as does my sister and all 4 of his grandparents have "readers" he's always trying them on and insisting they wear theirs, he can't understand why mummy and aunty always wear glasses but grandma etc only wear them sometimes - bless
Funny you mentioned it because he's got a check up this wednesday with the orthoptist, He was referred last year when the HV couldn't do the test for a squint properly because of his (rather cute) button nose, he passed some tests meant for 3yr olds (yey him!) but wouldn't let them cover either of his eyes and due to me having bad eyes they said they would see him again until they were sure he was 100%

Becles

SB - they get basic eye tests in school. I'm not sure how often but you get a letter home if anything is picked up that advises making your own opticians appointment for a full eye test. They also get hearing tests too.

I wear glasses and Charlotte loves mine! She washes my face when she's in the bath, but reminds me "glasses off" before she does it :rotfl:

Sami_Bee

Becles wrote: »

SB - they get basic eye tests in school. I'm not sure how often but you get a letter home if anything is picked up that advises making your own opticians appointment for a full eye test. They also get hearing tests too.

I wear glasses and Charlotte loves mine! She washes my face when she's in the bath, but reminds me "glasses off" before she does it :rotfl:

I personally wouldn't trust a school eye test tho.
Both my sis and I had them at primary school, and both had eye problems picked up the first time we saw a different school nurse when we started high school:rolleyes:

Savvy_Sue

The school eye and hearing tests are pretty basic, so any concerns I would get yourself to the optician or GP.

BTW, my optician showed us how they test for colour blindness! It's another thing which can't be done before the child knows numbers, because they have numbers 'hidden' in lots of coloured dots. You'll only be able to see each number if you're not blind to that particular colour.

Sami_Bee

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

The school eye and hearing tests are pretty basic, so any concerns I would get yourself to the optician or GP.

BTW, my optician showed us how they test for colour blindness! It's another thing which can't be done before the child knows numbers, because they have numbers 'hidden' in lots of coloured dots. You'll only be able to see each number if you're not blind to that particular colour.

there are versions of the test with hidden animals too for younger ones

chocaholic110

Sami_Bee wrote: »

You can take them to an optician once they know letters and numbers which for most is around when they start school:)

They can go before they know numbers and letters - they use pictures instead. DD went and they showed her boats and buses and things.

lwcus78

I usually say to parents to wait til child is 3 before they have a first proper eye test unless they think there is a problem or if there is a family history of lazy eyes or squints. Some eye problems ie lazy eyes cannot be corrected after the age of about 8-9yrs and the earlier its picked up the better the treatment An eye test can be done at any age even before they can talk but the test is less subjective and often less accurate. If we (the optician) cant get a reliable result we often refer to hospital depending on the complaint to see an orthoptist(if a squint is queried) or an ophthalmologist. Sometimes, we have to use drops in the eyes to get a more reliable test and the children usually end up screaming.
If you get an all clear from optician during a test-it doesn't mean their eyes will always be fine and they never need to see an optician again. You should always go back regularly as some eyesight problems are more likely to develop later on in childhood (ie short sighted-cant see the whiteboard in school etc).
A lot of children like having their eyes tested, often I find if I test the parent the child usually then wants a test so it may be a good idea for child to watch maybe granny have test first and then book appointment for child.
xx