Any ophthalmologists about?

[Concussedbanana]

DS(8) had a routine eye test today, was on 6 month tests, but then yearly.

His prescription has increased by 4 steps I was told. She seems surprised at the change?

Should I be worried? Is it that unusual

[dementedpixie]

What's the values that were given on the prescription and what were the previous ones?

[Concussedbanana]

I can't find his old prescription. Thanks anyway!

[SafeToCross]

Maybe you could ring them up and ask to talk it through with someone for more information?

[Concussedbanana]

Thanks, think I will. Trouble is we had the eye test at a different branch of the same chain as the wait for appointments at our normal one was 8 weeks. Will pop in to our normal one with his new prescription and see if they can advise.

[underneaththeash]

Hi, I'm an Optometrist;
4 steps in a year is a fairly big change and it may well just be an one off, but you need to increase the frequency of eye exams to 6 months again. New NHS rules mean that its difficult for us to set the recall for 6 months, but you can simply ask for a new sight test after six months by saying that you think your DSs eyes have changed.

Its very important that his glasses are up to date as it can increase the amount of myopia (short-sightedness), if they are too weak.

Other things that can reduce the progression of myopia are:

1. Spending time outdoors, at least 2 hours a day has shown to have a protective effect.
   
2. Having regular breaks from intensive close work.
   
3. Something called ortho-k has been proven to reduce myopia progression in many children, this involves wearing a hard contact lens overnight. I've fitted 8/9 year olds before, very successfully.
   
4. Soft bifocal contact lenses have also been shown to have an effect in some children, but the effect is less pronounced than with ortho-k.

[Concussedbanana]

Thank you so much, that's really helpful.

They have put him back on 6 monthly recall so that's good.

He reads an awful lot (he has autism and reading facts is his thing). He has been reluctant to wear his glasses as much a she should so I guess this hasn't helped. He has sensory issues and glasses irritate him , will speak to him teacher as I suspect he doesn't always wear them at school.

I am short sighted and have astigmatism as does Dh, so guess that may be linked.

Is there a possibility the test was wrong (Ds can manipulate situations and exceptionally switched on - part of his diagnosis). They did the hot air balloon thingy first, does that give an indication of prescription?

[underneaththeash]

The hot air balloon does give an indication of the prescription, but we also routinely use a light on a stick (retinoscope), to determine prescription, so its unlikely its wrong. Although there can be a very slight variation between examiners from day to day.

Pastic frames often irritate less as the nose pads are less pronounced, make sure they are cleaned often - you can wash them in the sink with fairy liquid (but not the anti-bacterial one as it can take the coating off).

Oddly they've actually found that its just the being outside that can reduce myopia progression, so even just reading outside can help!

[Concussedbanana]

Thank you again, it's been so helpful. We have two frames, a metal one and a plastic one. Will encourage outside reading where I can.

Thanks again.