eyeglasses | Imamother

TzenaRena

Thu, Feb 01 2007, 2:11 pm

My 9 yr. old has been complaining that his eyes bother him, and that he can't see the blackboard. He was seen by the doctor, and screened with an eyetest, he read the letters perfectly. but he's still complaining. I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that two of his friends just got glasses. But he also may have a sinus problem.

At the same time, my older son (teen) tells me he doesn't see as clearly as he used to.

Anyway, he's very serious about this, and I'm going to be checking him by an opthamologist.

With both children I want to rule out any underlying health issues, so this is not simply a question of which prescription they should get.

Should I ask for an appointment with the senior doctor of the eye clinic, whch isn't hard to get, or is it just as prudent to see one of the younger doctors there, who actually comes to our neighborhood optician once a week, so I wouldn't have to shlep out there? (Also that the older one doesn't have to miss Yeshiva.) Is there a big or small difference? Especially that this is a clinic, is that any different than a regular practice?

su7kids

Thu, Feb 01 2007, 2:35 pm

Sometimes there are things that are not vision related, I.e. you can have 20/20 and still not see properly.

Ask your son to describe what his problem is. Suggest that yo ugo into the class and speak to the teachers about moving him to the front and see if that makes a difference, OR go to an optical store and ask sthem for a test pair of glasses that only have glass in them, with no prescription and ask your son to try it out and see if he sees better with them. Tell him its on loan.

If he says no, you'll know that there is more to it than just being jealous of his other friends.

Eyes should be checked every year with kids who already wear glasses. I don't think it matters which doctor you see.

Mom who has 5 out of 7 kidlets and two parents in glasses (not that it makes me an expert!)

mummy-bh

Thu, Feb 01 2007, 3:29 pm

I think you should get a second opinion.

Depending on how exerienced the optician is, they could pick up on something that a lesser experienced one could not.

My husband has an eye condition that was diagnosed in his late teens. He was seeing double and had very poor night vision, but according to the standard tests he was only a little bit short-sighted. He went to a bunch of different opticians, before a more experienced one told him, you're out of my league, and referred him on to an eye hospital.
B"H now his condition is stabilised.

withhumor

Thu, Feb 01 2007, 6:12 pm

I went for a second opinion for my six year old and paid cash. The first place gave him +1 glasses and told me, he should wear it when he is comfortable with it. He couldn’t see with it, he couldn’t see without it. The second doctor told me that he desperately needs bifocals plus a small number for the far. My son’s grades picked up B”H and he is no longer putting his nose into his Chumish. Also, he doesn’t lose his patience anymore when reviewing his work. B”H

A week later, my 9 yr. old swore she couldn’t see the blackboard. It was a typical case of ‘blackboardaritis’ and the doctor confirmed it. Better safe than sorry.

su7kids

Thu, Feb 01 2007, 6:30 pm

I had a similar story with my kids, but with a different outcome.

My two sons were screened at school and both needed further testing, and resulted in glasses.

The following year, I was taking them for a re-check and my daughter said "Oh, I also need to go". I hadn't heard a word from her about having problems with the board or anything, so I poo poo'd it and said, forget it.

The eye doctor convinced me I needed to be tested, so I thought to myself, it wasn't gonig to cost me anything (great HMO at the time) so, why not take her.

Well, when I took her the poor child couldn't see a THING. In fact, she had learned to compensate so much that they couldn't get a good reading and I had to take her back to get muscle relaxants put into her eyes so they could get a good reading. They were shocked at the deterioration from one year to another and made me bring her back 6 months later. In that 6 month period, the deterioration had been the same as in the previous YEAR, even with glasses. So they put her in biofocals for a good number of years until the deterioration slowed down.

She was in 3rd grade at the time. She had been asking her friend to read the board for her, and they were so quiet they didn't disturb the teacher, so the teacher had no clue!!!

So, I definitely take eye challenges seriously.

NotInNJMommy

Thu, Feb 01 2007, 7:13 pm

When I was in 4th grade, I was tested at school and they said I needed glasses (which I did). For some reason, my parents didn't look into it for a year (which is strange bc they were always very proactive, responsible about other health things...maybe it was $$$$???). They also didn't feel more motivation bc I had really good grades, even when I was seated in the back of the class (I squinted all the time and somehow just was able to fill in what I couldn't see from context). When they took me, I already needed -3.5. It was a whole new world to not have to squint and to all see so much detail!

greenfire

Thu, Feb 01 2007, 11:20 pm

There definately is a big difference on opticians & eye doctors and dif dr. I have a lazy eye and some drs do not even know how to prescribe so I always go to specialists. It makes a hugh difference in how I see. So I make sure to double check my kids as well. B"H none have the lazy eye issue. But 2 wear glasses.

Tefila

Thu, Feb 01 2007, 11:22 pm

Quote:

Could very well be. My takes on this glasses shmasses thing is this as long as one can get away from wearing them I would. If he can't see the blackboard ask that he sit closer. Once they wear glasses they will always need and the prescription will just get stronger. Confused

(talking from experiance with two of my kids) Sad

Perhaps I too need glassses, but hey I havent bumped into anyone yet. I can see main things in life . Perhaps I am blind to a pimple but as long as I can get away without wearing them I will. Oh my sight has been like this forever so I can't say that it has gotten worse.

withhumor

Fri, Feb 02 2007, 10:12 am

True, once you start, there’s no turning back. However I always had a small prescription on the doctors chart but my mother never filled that prescription. Three years ago I suddenly got ridiculous headaches and dizziness and I finally went to the eye doctor and he said, same number as 13 years ago! Anyway, I started wearing those glasses and true, I see much less without it now but I’m a mentch! I started greeting people on the street and I am now convinced that it is irresponsible not to wear glasses. In fact it’s selfish. You can’t live in a world where society expects you to be social and not respond accordingly. I can clearly see who my son’s bus driver is, and I can see my nephew on the school bus waving to me. I can see what’s’ going on by the corner when the fire engine arrives. I can see if there’s a parking spot down the block for my dh. Need more? I can go to PTA and find my daughters classroom from down the hall….

Besides, glasses are ultra-fashionable now. When I wear my contacts I feel not dressed.

greenfire

Fri, Feb 02 2007, 10:55 am

Although I need my glasses all the time - I used to be able to wake up and maybe not wear them for an hour. I recently got a new prescription cause I couldn't read - well now I can't seem to be able to see w/o the glasses. I am definately worried about getting to used to the higher prescription - but mostly cause I don't want to be blind when I'm 80 - and afraid they will get progressively worse.

Tefila

Fri, Feb 02 2007, 12:55 pm

Quote:

I don't think glasses make you dependent. I think your eyes change and you need them..

Strongly Disagree Wink

.

And as I said withhumour I see people and hand waving even if ican't count their fingers, or wrinkles or pimples from the distance Very Happy

If I was taka blind that I couldn't see the bus driver or people then I'd agree. But it's for those details I don't think one needs Smile

Oh I don't drive Twisted Evil

greenfire

Fri, Feb 02 2007, 1:02 pm

My son came home from school one day and broke his glasses in front of me as he was saying look mommy my glasses broke. He was about 8 and was wearing since he was 4. The dr told me to leave him alone and one day he will want them cause he will realize he needs them. Well at 16 he couldn't get his drivers liscense w/o glasses cause he couldn't see.
I didn't wear glasses for a few years as a teen (cause someones mother told me that they look bad on me) and I actually could hardly see. So there's no telling what stubborn people might do.

Tefila

Fri, Feb 02 2007, 1:09 pm

Quote:

So there's no telling what stubborn people might do.

Thanks

ANyways this is not a vain issue since I tryed once and look good in glasses if I may say so myself 8)
but why make my good vision worse to just superficially see better What

greenfire

Fri, Feb 02 2007, 1:13 pm

Tefila wrote:

Quote:

So there's no telling what stubborn people might do.

Thanks

ANyways this is not a vain issue since I tryed once and look good in glasses if I may say so myself 8)
but why make my good vision worse to just superficially see better What

Hey I was referring to myself and my son - but it the category fits...Tefila I will share. 8)