Toddler requires very strong glasses

irish bloke

Hi,

My 22 month old lads right eye has been turning in intermittently for the last few months. After several appointments it appears he has an accommodative squint and is farsighted.

The eye specialist has told us that he needs glasses permanently and they are at a strength of +8.0 for one eye and +9.0 for the other!!!

I was not expecting to hear his vision is this poor.
I was also told he would most likely need glasses for the rest of his life and best case will probably be to a strength of approx. +5.0.

Few queries:

1. Have been given a prescription to get him glasses, where is the best place to go and are there options out there that won't make him look like he has 2 glass ashtrays on his face.
   
2. Should I get a second openion regarding the high power or will the optometrist fitting the glasses recheck the specialists work
   
3. Will he grow out of this or is he doomed to goggles forever
   
4. What kind of financial burden am I in for and is there assistance in this area
   
5. Is laser an option for him and at what age does he qualify

.

Sorry for all the questions, but wasn't expecting that news today. Other then the intermittent squint you would never know he had a vision issue

Arbie

irish bloke wrote: »

Hi,

My 22 month old lads right eye has been turning in intermittently for the last few months. After several appointments it appears he has an accommodative squint and is farsighted.

The eye specialist has told us that he needs glasses permanently and they are at a strength of +8.0 for one eye and +9.0 for the other!!!

I was not expecting to hear his vision is this poor.
I was also told he would most likely need glasses for the rest of his life and best case will probably be to a strength of approx. +5.0.

Few queries:

1. Have been given a prescription to get him glasses, where is the best place to go and are there options out there that won't make him look like he has 2 glass ashtrays on his face.
   
2. Should I get a second openion regarding the high power or will the optometrist fitting the glasses recheck the specialists work
   
3. Will he grow out of this or is he doomed to goggles forever
   
4. What kind of financial burden am I in for and is there assistance in this area
   
5. Is laser an option for him and at what age does he qualify

.

Sorry for all the questions, but wasn't expecting that news today. Other then the intermittent squint you would never know he had a vision issue

+8/+9 is high hyperopia (farsightedness) but in children this tends to decrease as they get older and their eyes grow.

1 - You probably already know children who wear glasses, so their parents should be able to recommend an optometrist.
2 - There is no harm in getting a 2nd opinion from an ophthalmologist if you are concerned. Any optometrist that deals with young children should have the special vision charts used for young children. If the glasses correction is right then you will know very quickly as it should give him 6/6 vision in both eyes and should control the squint.
3 - Most children will become less hyperopic over time and will usually reduce their prescription.
4 - Depending on your circumstances there are some financial supports. Your ophthalmologist/optometrist/GP should be able to advise you.
5 - Laser may be an option when he is an adult. It is not suitable for children.

rainemac

3. I don't think you referring to them as goggles will build up good self esteem or confidence in him so maybe be careful about your use of language

irish bloke

rainemac wrote: »

3. I don't think you referring to them as goggles will build up good self esteem or confidence in him so maybe be careful about your use of language

Ah come on now for gods sake

irish bloke

Arbie wrote: »

+8/+9 is high hyperopia (farsightedness) but in children this tends to decrease as they get older and their eyes grow.

1 - You probably already know children who wear glasses, so their parents should be able to recommend an optometrist.
2 - There is no harm in getting a 2nd opinion from an ophthalmologist if you are concerned. Any optometrist that deals with young children should have the special vision charts used for young children. If the glasses correction is right then you will know very quickly as it should give him 6/6 vision in both eyes and should control the squint.
3 - Most children will become less hyperopic over time and will usually reduce their prescription.
4 - Depending on your circumstances there are some financial supports. Your ophthalmologist/optometrist/GP should be able to advise you.
5 - Laser may be an option when he is an adult. It is not suitable for children.

Thanks for the informative reply. Am I right in saying the + powers give you the bug eye look, therefore are there better/thinner lenses out there now that don't have this look?

Arbie

irish bloke wrote: »

Thanks for the informative reply. Am I right in saying the + powers give you the bug eye look, therefore are there better/thinner lenses out there now that don't have this look?

Yes, the + lenses magnify so the eyes can look bigger. Optometrists can usually make the lenses thinner and help you choose frames that make the magnification less obvious.