Unequal vision - how worried should I be?

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

DD (4.9) had a hearing and eye test at school today, and has come home with a referral to local eye hospital for "unequal vision".

I have yet to get an appt, so don't really know what to expect. Has anyone been through this who can share their experiences? Does it mean glasses? Could it be wrong?

[loopylou6]

going my own experience , i would say dont worry, its probably that he is short/long sighted in 1 eye, no major biggy, i am short sighted in one eye, but the other eye is fine

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

Thanks loopylou. I won't spend the weekend consumed by anxiety.

[TheSonnetts]

Unequal vision could be he needs spectacles.It can occasionally be a lazy eye that needing patching.It could be he just struggled with the test.

Why not take him for an NHS eye test at the weekend at an opticians and they will be able to give you a better idea.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

The diagnosis was

Right - 0.1 (which is a pass)
Left - 0.4 (refer to clinic).

So it does sound like a lazy eye, doesn't it. I will prepare myself for her having to wear a patch!

Thank you!

[TheSonnetts]

I think this must be a logmar scale of measurement.

Normally you will see vision as 6/number the 6 being the normal testing distance of 6m and the number at the bottom the size of letter seen- the bigger the number at the bottom the worse the vision.

If you scrole down here to the visual acuity scales bit o.1 is 6/7.5 almost the bottom of most standard charts and 0.4 is 6/15 only about 1/2 way down.

[TheSonnetts]

Actually 6/15 is slightly better look at the 20/50 line on that last link (on the snellen chart at the top) compared to the 20/25 to give you the difference.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

TheSonnets - thank you very much. This is really useful!