Feel like a shit mother today

[codswallopandbalderdash]

Just had DS to optician. Turns out he is extremely long-sighted and has astigmatism too. I had been meaning to take DS to optician last summer but he didn't seem to be having difficulties with anything - no squint, lazy eye, no problems focusing that I could discern- so I left it, after discussing with my husband. Partly because it seemed so hit and miss about getting an optician good with young children. No one able to recommend anyone.

Anyway, potential issue highlighted at pre-school check - hence optician appointment. Got a real shock when found out poor wee bugger was so long sighted. I feel shit about it to be honest as feel I should've checked stuff out sooner, especially as both DH and me wear glasses.

Really wish there was better information about which opticians have done paediatric training /are child-friendly / willing to test kids and about what to expect at the test. I was completely unprepared for how long the test would take. Nor was I told in advance that you eye drops they have to use can disrupt vision for 24 hours and hurt a lot (as they are acidic and it is like putting vinegar in your eye). My poor boy was traumatised by it all and the optician we saw was really really good with him. God knows how bad it would've been elsewhere.

Deep breath. done for 3 months at least.

Depending on age he might be referred to an orthoptist at your local hospital. Dd had a squint and got glasses at 18 months old. Her appointments were at the hospital until around the age of 8ish and then she was discharged to a local optician.

Ds got his first eye test at age 3 but his eyesight is ok. They both have annual eye tests now. Dd is nearly 15 and still wears glasses as she is long sighted

Oh gosh - please don't worry. You've still caught it young (I know lots of people who found out much later after quite a few years of primary education and learning had probably been affected - and most felt no ill effects at all in the long run). Your DS wont be disadvantaged in any way. Its very hard to test eye sight before they can read as the tests are so based on reading and letter recognition. Please, please dont beat yourself up. He will be absolutely fine. No harm done.

I am very short sighted and have astigmatism too. I was diagnosed when I was in Year 6 but had probably had problems for many years before that. The optician said I was very good at 'masking' - I had one eye that was better than the other and also lots of tricks to get around not seeing well. I remember getting my first pair of glasses - I didn't know the world could look like that!

I hold nothing against my parents for not noticing! I'm sure my Mum felt guilty about it but it's absolutely fine.

Thanks everyone. I can't believe how well he has been coping without glasses. If his eyes had been both about +4 we may not have needed glasses but the optician was worried about a lazy eye developing. I do think it is hard having a sight test before they can recognise letters - I can still remember getting very upset when going to the hospital for sight tests when I was 4 because I couldn't express what I meant properly.

When dd was wee and didn't know letters, they used pictures to do the eye tests. Thus wad at the hospital though