Glasses for children

Rockporkchop

OP my DS had the drops recently. What I would say is when you get the appointment through, call them a week or so before and get them to post the drops to you so you can put them in yourself at home just before you leave for the appointment. When we got there we had to wait ages for a slot to have the drops put in and then another 40 mins in a boring waiting room with an upset child while we waited for the drops to take effect. They said that next time they would post the drops to me. Also make sure you have a nice drink and his favourite snack ready after he has the drops as they taste disgusting and they do sting a bit.

I was devastated at the time too, to be honest. Yes it's all very well for people to say that it's not serious or life threatening but I wore glasses when I was at school and had a terrible time, and I really didn't want that for my own son. It's also a hassle and expense that parents could really do without.

WestonDave

The other thing which may be worth pointing out is that some children wear glasses for a time and then don't need them longer term. I wore some really bad NHS brown things for a couple of years as a kid (which in some ways wasn't that bad because if you were a kid and needed glasses you all wore the same - they either came in brown or black!) but after a while they corrected whatever was wrong and I've never worn them since - now nearing 40 (although I must remember to get my eyes checked!).

andrealm

My dd got glasses when she was 3.5, she loved them and has been great with them. She was fine with the drops, no problem at all. She has to have them again next week, they've given me the drops to put in half an hour before the appointment. Lots of children seem to have glasses these days from quite a young age. It's good that it's been picked up on while he's still young, I'm sure he'll soon get used to them.

yummymummy1987_2

Thankyou so much for all the replys.
For those that have had appts for drops etc through the hospital on average how long did it take for the appt to come through? We was told 10 weeks but it seems resonably long if he was almost sure he would need glasses? Obviously hes managed ok so far, as in his reading etc at school so 10 weeks wouldnt harm i imagine?

itzmee

kegg wrote: »

my oldest has worn glasses since around age 5 without any problems at all and he is now 14.

Just dont make a fuss about it so it doesn't seem anything out of the ordinary.
There are some great styles now for children with charachers and all sorts.
My son has had everything from the simpsons to his now designer pair which are red or dead.

My son is also 14 and been wearing glasses since the age of 5. He was referred to the hospital by the school nurse after a well known opticians told him he was fine and didn't need them. He hated the glasses at first but he got used to them and didn't have any issues or bullying from friends as it is more acceptable now. He always hated having the drops though. However he has been wearing contact lenses for nearly a year now as he was 'fed up of looking geeky' and manages fine with them. OP please don't put your fears on your child as it is socially acceptable to wear glasses now and there is so much choice available for kids, my youngest would always beg to have Harry Potter type glasses even though he doesn't need them.

Bloomin_Freezing2

My eldest DD (5yrs) started to wear glasses this year. She is short sighted and only really needs to wear them during school lessons and watching tv at home. There were a couple of kids in her class with glasses already, and recently another couple. They are in the 'Cool glasses gang' which is a very special gang to be in! lol. She looks adorable in her little barbie glasses and loves wearing them.

My youngest DD (18mths) is also short sighted and will need glasses in the next year or so (was told this at her op appointment 6 months ago), I'm sure she'll look gorgeous too, she often puts mine on!

There has never been any mickey taking or anything for my DD, I think that as she's started wearing them young it's been accepted by herself and her peers easier. Although it's not really a big deal these days. It'll be a case of 'Oh you've got glasses' for a day or two and that'll be it. No different to you or I turning up to work or the school gates with a new haircut. People comment for a day or so and that's it.

shirlgirl2004

My 3 1/2 year old has had to have the drops a couple of times when having her eyes checked and no it isn't pleasant but she let them do it both times.

As for glasses, my son was 10 when we discovered he needed glasses and like a pp he might have had an alternative treatment i it had been discovered earlier. He refused to wear glasses (put them on an then they came off as he walked up the school path). We ended up paying for contacts and that's what we wears now with no problems.

Wearing glasses isn't nice for a child but it isn't the end of the world either.

amandada

My 8 year old ds doesn't like that he's the only one in the family who doesn't need glasses! Last time he had his eyes tested, he asked the optician if she was sure his sight was ok!

jackomdj

Bloomin_Freezing2 wrote: »

My eldest DD (5yrs) started to wear glasses this year. She is short sighted and only really needs to wear them during school lessons and watching tv at home.

We took our eldest (then almost 5) to the optician when her younger sister was found to need glasses. The optician said she needed them for reading, writing & TV. When I mentioned this to the opthmologist (sp?) at the hospital, at one of DD2's appointments, she said that they (at the hospital) disagree with only wearing them some of the time (she did explain why - something to do with how they focus at that age & they would be "double" focusing when they use the glasses if they have them on only sometimes) so she got me to arrange an appointment via the doctors to see the hospital. They did a one off check, confirmed her prescription (although said it could go higher) & advised me to get her to wear them all the time.

Bloomin_Freezing2

jackomdj wrote: »

We took our eldest (then almost 5) to the optician when her younger sister was found to need glasses. The optician said she needed them for reading, writing & TV. When I mentioned this to the opthmologist (sp?) at the hospital, at one of DD2's appointments, she said that they (at the hospital) disagree with only wearing them some of the time (she did explain why - something to do with how they focus at that age & they would be "double" focusing when they use the glasses if they have them on only sometimes) so she got me to arrange an appointment via the doctors to see the hospital. They did a one off check, confirmed her prescription (although said it could go higher) & advised me to get her to wear them all the time.

I don't wear mine all the time, I can't. When I am trying to look over my shoulder to reverse for example I can't see properly with my glasses on. It's very annoying that I need to keep swapping but wearing them all the time doesn't work for me.