I think DS2 (3.4) needs an eye test and can't imagine getting through it successfully

[lingle]

When DS2 was 2, he didn't have good eye contact and I worried about ASD....

Well now his eye contact is good (shyness and grumpiness moments apart) but this has made it more apparent that there may be an eyesight problem.

He sometimes narrows one eye to choose the other eye to look at an object, twisting his head sideways (as if you wanted to look into a tube). He sometimes chooses to look at a large object (a nearby train pulling out of the station) at a funny angle - sort of sideways on. Squinting I think - though "squinting" is one of those words I've always used without knowing what it means.

We had a hearing test as part of his speech therapy and it was a disaster - it made him scared of going to the doctors. He used to be great at the doctors but isn't any more. The hearing test was done at 3.2 for "3+" group and he would have been better with whatever they do for 2-year-olds.

Can anyone tell me what sight test they would do for an immature 3.4 year old? How long would it take and how on earth would I keep him still and cooperative. He can talk in 3-word sentences but his speech and understanding are much more like a typical 2-year-old than 3-year-old and he only has about 250 words conversing with me and DH - more like 25 for talking at nursery!

He did great at the dentists a couple of months ago but refused to be weighed last month.... I so don't want him to have bad associations and wonder if I should wait awhile......

[FromGirders]

My wee boy was sight tested at 3yrs 3 months. He had to look at pictures and say what they were (truck, duck, apple, clock, boot, house, can't remember the others). He managed fine with his good eye, but became a bit distressed with his bad eye, because he was unable to do what he was being asked. However, that was enough to show that he needed some further work, and to refer him to an orthoptist.
The orthoptists at the hospital were great, all very good at dealing with kids, and I've seen very small children being taken to appointments. Perhaps if you explained at or even before the appointment about your concerns, they would probably be able to reassure you, and may use tests for littler people?
I think most of the tests are done in about 15 minutes, they can do more if everything is going well, to get a bigger picture, but can maybe just do the basic ones if your ds is struggling a bit.
If I were you, I'd ask for a referral straight to the hospital orthoptists as they deal nearly entirely with children and will have seen all sorts, rather than an optician who may be more used to dealing with adults.

[TheNewYearNewMadHouse]

Both my boys had an eye test last year DS1 will be 4 in March and DS2 has just turned 2.6

We used an optician that was recomended and she specialises in childrens test. TBH they dont need to read at this stage, it is often just looking at images etc that move, so that the optician can check their focus etc.

Yjey needed early tests as DH had to have an eye op at 5 and also DS2 had a nasty infection.

They enjoyed it - she made it fun and they got a lolly at the end!!!

They are due again in Feb

[lingle]

Thank you both, that is very helpful. Good to know he will basically be looking at pictures. I think I will take up the suggestion of warning the orthoptist/optician in advance and maybe booking a double appoinment with his older brother. The hearing test was dreaful because he was afraid and just buried his head in my chest and the audiologist kept frowning at me and saying "we've got 20 minutes....." in a dour tone of voice then addressing him in a fake loud cheerful voice. Whereas the dentist treated his brother first saying nothing to him, leaving him eager to climb on to the big chair for himself!.

[Jurt]

Lingle - has your son been seen by an experienced OT, or developmental paediatrician? Those eye behaviours sounds more like sensory stuff than visual things. Does he run objects back and forwards across his visual field as well?

My son does all the things you mention (we call it funny eyes) but his vision is spot on (well as much as can be guessed, he can certainly spot small objects from a great distance). In his cases it's sensory muckaround. Some of the sideways eyes stuff improved when he had cod liver oil, but he won't take it now.

[TotalChaos]

DS had eye tests at a similar age (astigmatism) with whacking great speech delay, and we managed OK. even if he doesn't look at pictures (in one of the tests DS refused point blank to name them!) they can follow how he tracks objects.

one thing to bear in mind - part of the asd type traits can be looking at things in a "funny" way - sort of out of peripheral vision, looking a little bits at a time rather than the whole picture - so this may be a quirk rather than a sight problem. DS used to look at things a bit funny at that age, he's grown out of it now.

[lingle]

Thanks Jurt and Total. Jurt, no, he never runs objects back and forth across his visual field but I do hear where you are coming from. He's seen a community paediatrician but not a developmental one.

Sounds like it's worth finding out if it's a quirk or a sight problem. Good to know the test should still be useful even if he doesn't feel like doing them!

Interesting that little total grew out of the quirk.

[TotalChaos]

Jurt - thank god you're still here , very pleased to see you.

[27]

My DD has also had the eye test with the naming the objects in the pictures.
When she was younger there were tests that didnt really require cooperation - things like presenting her with a picture on a card, then the same picture in a different place on the card, and watching to see if her eyes moved (indicating that she had seen it).

It was also possible for the opthalmologist to determine her prescription by examining her eyes. She had to have the drops in her eyes for that though, and had to be kept still for the minute or two it took to do that.

[smartiejake]

My dds had sight checks from 6 months before they could even talk. Specialists in children's optometry can tell alot by looking into the eyes.

[Lizzylou]

My DS1 had his eye test at a similar age and it was just looking at pictures, wearing sunglasses with a patch etc, it didn't take long (prob 10mins) but did bring up the fact that he needed glasses and we were then referred where he was spoilt at the outpatient dept we were sent to.
The lady who tested him was fab and was a specialist in testing children.
DS1 has a severe astigmatism in one eye so will almost surely always wear glasses/contact lenses.

[DorisIsAPinkDragon]

If your speak to your HV she should be able to refer you to a childrens specialist ?optometrist, DD1 was refered for ? squint at about 1yr old and has been seen regularly since, with them gradually increasing the things they do with her.

Tests have lasted at most for 10mins (last time shes 3) with "funny" sunglassess and indentfying pictures.

But the childrens specialist should be able to deal with your children from the developmental perspective.

Good Luck

[lingle]

All really helpful, thank you so much.

An aside: anyone know from what age you can wear contacts?

[smartiejake]

I remember my optician saying age 11 onwards for contacts but not for continual everyday use.