pre-school eye test - anyone know about this?

[MammaPiggy]

We have had a letter giving us an appointment for dd1 (3 1/2) to have an eye test.

But in the letter it says that she will be given eye drops which apparently "will sting" and it says that the pupils can stay enlarged for "upto 24 hours, during this time eyesight may be blurred and sunlight uncomfortable to the eyes".

It just all sounds quite nasty and i am a bit worried about it now and wondering if maybe she should just have the eye test and not the eye drops.

She is quite nervous with strangers anyway and i would imagine they would have great difficulty actually getting her to go along with it anyway.

Just wondered if anyone else has had this, or decided not to.

Oh it also says the test will last up to an hour which i thought sounds a very long time doesnt it?

Obviously i want to make sure her eyes are healthy and want the best for her, just wondered what others opinions on this were.

[keels26]

My DS had to have the eye test where they use the drops when he was 4 because he had basically failed an eye test at HVs. He had to have the drops put in and then wait for them to work which took about 30/45 mins, then the actual eye test took maybe 15 mins. (Also the darker the childs eyes the longer it can take for the drops to work. My DS has dark brown eyes so your DDs test might be quicker if she has lighter eyes.) Would recommend taking some sunglasses with you for her because my DSs eyes were very sensitive for a few hours after.
Its a bit strange that your DD should be offered the eye drops unless theres a concern about her eyes which they usually pick up with a basic eye test. Did you or the HV have any worries about her eye sight?

[MammaPiggy]

thanks keels26 - no there is no concerns about her sight the letter just said it was routine and all children of her age were having it.

she has light blue eyes so may work quicker like you say, was your son in any pain when they put the drops in his eyes?

[LRB978]

MP

DS (7) has been under the hospital for his vision since he was 8 months old, so lots of experience.

Unfortunately they need to use they eye drops in order to fully check the eyes. IME, taking a pair of sunglasses with you and letting your child wear them for as long as they want is often helpful (even indoors). Also, take something small as a treat (chocolate buttons or similar) for when they have the drops put in. It does sting initially, but wears off fairly quickly.

You should be able to hold her when the drops are put in, I have had ds lay with his head on my lap, and have also cuddled him as the drops are put in.

It takes up to 15 minutes for the drops to take effect, which is one reason for the test being so long. They will probably do a range of tests as well which may include checking movement of the eye, her ability to see 3-D, checking each eye vision independantly (I'm assuming it is through the hospital that it is being organised, not the local opticians, and they may not do all these tests, ds has a number of tests because of the condition he has).

Also, they are fantastic with children, and are used to all types of personalities and all ages, so do not worry about your daughter being nervous, believe me they will have dealt with it many times before and have a range of tricks to get the tests they need done.

Hope this helps.

[cory]

dd had the drops with an eye test; I'd say a little uncomfortable rather than in outright pain

tbh I don't think it was her letting them do it so much as me telling her that she had to and holding her in a firm grip on my lap

I don't think the actual test lasts an hour; as keels says, it's having to wait for the drops to work

if I were you, I'd still let her have it, unless she has bad sensory issues/is on the autistic spectrum

[Seona1973]

DD had hers done in her first year of primary school - it was a basic eye test though without the drops. Only those that did not 'pass' that test were referred to the hospital orthoptist who then did the test with the drops to assess the eye problem.

DD has glasses and gets the drops test every year (first one at 18 months and is now 5). The reason the test is long is that it takes about half an hour for the drops to take effect - we normally go for a drink/snack during that time when dd is getting hers done. (She hates the drops btw and last time 2 people had to hold her to get them in - not looking forward to the next appointment)

[keels26]

He said it stung a little bit but nothing much and no pain afterwards just dislike of the light. I closed all the curtains when we got home and he was fine. Im sure your DD will be fine and the drops should work quickly as she has light eyes.

[ThePellyandMe]

DS1 had this after he was referred to the Eye Clinic because of a lazy eye. He was about 2.6.

This was only after the initial eye test by the Optometrist which indicated he did have a problem with his sight though. During that appointment they just looked in his eyes and did the usual letters thing but with a card that they could point to the letters on rather IYSWIM.

It does make their eyes sting a bit, DS1 wasn't too bothered but afterward his eyes were very sensitive to the sun and he couldn't be outside without crying. He walked back to the car with his eyes closed bless him. It wore off after a few hours.

DS1 had very pale blue eyes aswell so it did work very quickly.

[MammaPiggy]

LRB978 - thank you that is really helpful

oh and thankyou both for the tip about sunglasses, i wouldnt have thought of that.

i had just never heard of the eye drops before, at least i know what to expect now they didnt explain very much in the letter!

[ThePellyandMe]

Sorry not the optometrist the orthoptist

[MammaPiggy]

cory, seona1973, thepellyandme - thank you very much for the advice. im such a slow typer.

the drops do sound quite nasty dont they?