Vision Exams

[Stayseeliz]

I just wanted to encourage everyone to make sure they get thorough vision exams for their children since our kids don't get the eye exams at school. Both my daughters were diagnosed with the same eye problem in the last couple of weeks and what my 6yo will have to go through versus my 2yo is HUGE because it was caught so much later. I wish I'd taken her in last year for a "kindergarten" exam even though we homeschool!! Don't assume just because you don't see a problem that there isn't one!!

[caefi]

good reminder!! Our pedi does the exam like the schools do as soon as my kids can talk and recognize pictures on the chart! We start visiting the optometrist at 5yo (obviously, if dr thought we needed to we would start sooner).

[AAK]

Definitely! While strabismus is often noticed by parents, amblyopia often isn't. And correcting it is so much easier when they are younger. Not to mention that if they can see clearly, it is much easier to differenciate between letters, etc.

Amy

[umsami]

Yes, my Mom caught my strabismus and amblyopia when I was a kid and I needed surgery. If patching/drops don't work for amblyopia (strabismus almost always requires surgery), and they don't have it taken care of by 8-9, some kids never have vision in the affected eye.

I have to say that the eye exams that I've seen at the pediatrician have been horrible. Often times given by a tech--but really, there is very little focus on ophthalmology for most US medical students/residents. Personally, I would trust very few peds to do a good eye exam. I would probably see at minimum an optometrist or preferably a pediatric ophthalmologist if I thought that there was something going on.

In-school screenings are usually done by volunteer parents. Ideally, you should have your kids examined every two years by an eye care professional. Your kids usually don't know that there's anything wrong--because the bad vision (or not seeing out of one of their eyes) is normal for them.

[tanyalynn]

Originally Posted by umsami

Your kids usually don't know that there's anything wrong--because the bad vision (or not seeing out of one of their eyes) is normal for them.

Too true. I was shocked at how far-sighted my 4yo was when we tested (after he failed the screening at the pedi's office)... he didn't have a frame of reference to tell me that there was a problem and even though his eyesight is pretty darn poor, the only clue I saw that I probably should've caught was him rubbing his eyes. Though that was more toward the end of the day anyway and I thought it was tiredness.

[Stayseeliz]

My girls do have amblyopia and it went totally undetected. We were completely floored at how well my 6yo did when she was almost legally blind in one eye. She never realized that wasn't how everyone saw and since she had no problems learning how to read, etc I never thought twice about her eyesight. Now we'll be facing glasses, patching and probably vision therapy for her when my 2yo will only have glasses for a few years. Oh how I wish we'd caught it sooner!

I've been researching and most eye doctors do encourage a full exam starting at age 2 to rule out issues. Now we know!

[chaoticzenmom]

Interesting....I made appointments for 3 of my kids today after one of them kept losing me at the zoo and following strangers around

I am just taking them to a regular eye Dr. Pearle Vision. Is that what everyone else is doing? They said that they would be able to detect pediatric issues.

[Stayseeliz]

Originally Posted by chaoticzenmom

Interesting....I made appointments for 3 of my kids today after one of them kept losing me at the zoo and following strangers around

I am just taking them to a regular eye Dr. Pearle Vision. Is that what everyone else is doing? They said that they would be able to detect pediatric issues.

Anyone who checks their vision with the "machine" (not sure what it's called) to determine astigmatism, neatsightedness, etc and does a full exam should be fine. If you have friends who have taken their children for exams you might want to ask them who they've seen. Several of my friends see a pediatric optometrist but I just called my insurance and asked who I could accepts our insurance and picked one. I lucked out with the one I picked though because he specializes in vision development/training and was able to detect the amblyopia and know how to treat it. We might switch to a specialist down the road but I feel comfortable with the dr we're seeing now. If there are any issues detected you night want to find a dr that specializes in children's vision but I think Pearlevision would be fine for a regular checkup!

[AAK]

Originally Posted by chaoticzenmom

Interesting....I made appointments for 3 of my kids today after one of them kept losing me at the zoo and following strangers around

I am just taking them to a regular eye Dr. Pearle Vision. Is that what everyone else is doing? They said that they would be able to detect pediatric issues.

This should be fine. If the Dr. detects anything, he/she may refer you to someone who specializes in whatever it is. Most the drs in the store locations are optometrists without specialization. I see one regularly for my prescriptions. But, I also see (based on the referral of one of the store drs) an opthamologist who specializes in glaucoma. I asked him about the "store drs" and he had no complaints at all. He thought that was an economical way to get an accurate prescription and said they were good at identifying problems too.

That being said--if your child is 3 or younger I would choose someone who regularly works with pediatrics. They have a lot of "tricks" up their sleeves that will help them complete the exam. My 2nd child went at a year because I thought something was wrong. Peds office referred me to a ped. opthamologist to cover the bases since i was so adamant. Turned out she had morning glory nerve. This is VERY rare. However, after our first exam, the dr requested on with her sedated. She needed an MRI, etc too. Even after all that, I waited until my 3rd was 4 before I brought her in. She is "not" the cooperative sort and I wanted the experience to be positive. It was and she is fine.

I think most kids can handle the exam at 3. And (if a problem is found) earlier is better.

Amy

[umsami]

Pearle Vision (or wherever) is usually fine--but I always like to ask which doctors are better with children, etc. Autorefractors are usually only a starting point to determine vision needs. A good eye exam (even of a child) always includes dilating the eye. I'd be very suspect of any one who didn't do that.

Usually if you have any sort of vision insurance or your health insurance covers vision, they'll cover an eye exam (well check or whatever you want to call it) with either an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. Optometrists are often better at fitting glasses and contacts; whereas ophthalmologists are better for more serious issues--such as amblyopia, strabismis, nerve issues, etc... but there are no fast rules. Optometrists are trained to refer you to a pediatric ophthalmologist if they suspect anything.

[luv2homeschool]

Our doctor caught my daughter's esotropia when she was three! thanks to a great doctor, early patching and glasses really helped. We don't patch anymore but she still has glasses. Her prescription strengh has decreesed twice since she was 3!

[craft_media_hero]

Thanks for this reminder! It has been on my mind lately--dd says 'I don't like reading small stuff' ? tonight at dinner so I am thinking that an eye exam is definitely in order.

[PGTlatte]

Our DS1's amblyopia was caught when I took him for the state-mandated "kindergarten eye exam" at what would have been the end of his K year if he had been in school. He had just turned six. We never had any idea he was basically blind in one eye. He had always passed the eye exams at his physicals because they always checked both eyes together, never one at a time, and he had never displayed symptoms of poor eyesight that we noticed because his other eye had very good far focus. I would absolutely see an optometrist and make sure each eye is checked separately.