DS referral to GP after opticians check up?

[Gonewiththemadness]

I took my 2 ds for their annual optician appointments today and went in with no concerns as both of their eyesights have always been perfect.
Both had pre bit, both fine. Both went in and had test, both fine and the optician said both of their eyesights were absolutely fine but then asked my eldest DS to go for another test for peripheral vision which they did twice.
Called us back into the room and said that eyesight is absolutely fine and he can’t see anything at the back of his eye but he has to refer him to the GP and mentioned a department I think for a further test which he said will probably be the same as this to start with.
He said that it could be due to being tired (DS is 13 and has always struggled with sleep since day dot). He has a mind that likes to follow processes and has said to me before that his mind will think of something super complicated like building a pc or figuring out the inside of a car and he can’t sleep until he’s finished the process.
We’ve been to the gp a few times and been given leaflets on insomnia, tried a million (not literally but allot) of ideas for better sleep but from a 9pm bedtime he can often be laying awake until 1am. Sometimes as early as 11pm on a good night but sometimes 3am on a bad night .
This is one of a fair few things that point to the fact that I and others think that he’s most probably on the spectrum but no diagnosis has ever been pushed for as he gets on socially and emotionally well and we have found ways to work with any struggles.
My youngest son is diagnosed with adhd with asd traits and spd so it’s highly likely.
All this aside the optician said that it needed to be looked into.
He also suffers with headaches frequently and ends up taking paracetamol but we’ve been to the gp about this and it was put down to a mixture of being a teenager, his sleep problems and screen time.
I’ve had a little google and have terrified myself so I won’t google anymore. Just wait to see how the gp appointment goes.
Does anyone have any experience of this sort of thing and can offer some insight please?

As the optician said, it's probably nothing at all - the peripheral field tests (called visual field tests) have a learning curve.
But, given the history of headaches it's worth a referral to check everything out.
I know it's easier said than done, but don't worry.

Thank you. Only just noticed this reply, sorry!
Yes I will try not to worry and just wait for the gp appt.
I shouldn’t be allowed to google health concerns!

We had something Similar with DD a couple of years ago. Her eyesight changes rapidly apparently due to growth spurts. She failed the peripheral vision tests and was referred back to GP who then referred us to hospital.

After all the tests they found she had old microcysts on her macular which could have been there since birth and also some scar tissue that we think may be from when she was knocked down by a car about 7 years ago (she couldn't see for a minute or so after).

The cysts have caused no problems at all despite them worrying us by saying she was at higher risk of a detached retina! And at her last hospital appointment she was given the all clear and signed off.

Try not to worry (or google!) google always gives you worst case scenario! I'm sure all will be fine :)

Oh crikey @cricketmum84, I’m glad she’s ok! That’s scary though, must have been very worrying for you all!
I suppose all we can do is wait and see. When they did the test they showed the spots that were missed and there was only one on the left but on the right there was a big cluster of missed spots on the top half of the right.
I’m hoping it will be put down to his struggles with sleep and then we can get a bit more help with that.
It’s become such a part of him that others would never know he struggles and it doesn’t seem to slow him down at all, I just wish he didn’t struggle with it so much!

@Gonewiththemadness she is exactly the same with sleep. We've had a lot of issues over the last few years with anxiety and depression which has culminated in her coming out as trans (m2f) and also waiting on autism diagnosis. But she still just will not sleep! She can be awake all night but then wants to sleep all day.

Have you thought about magnesium supplement for him? We are going to give it a try and see if we can try and regulate sleeping patterns.

Google will always worry you. It's more than likely nothing but better safe than sorry.

Taking a slightly different angle it may just be that for some reason there is a small blank in his vision. Many of us have this and our brain works round it. Mine is from an old retinal bleed but there are other non serious reasons. It isn't usually a cause for concern.

@cricketmum84, it sounds like she’s had a tough time, I hope she’s starting to feel better now! DS doesn’t want to sleep during the day, he just goes and goes!
What is the magnesium supplement? At the moment we’re trying something I bought from a herbalist called theanine and lemon balm complex so we’ll wait and see how that goes first but I’d be interested to learn about the magnesium if it doesn’t help.
I’m sure that’s the case @katewhinesalot, you just can’t help worrying as a parent can you!
@helpfulperson that’s good to know, that it’s common for people to have a small blank, I hope that’s the case! It’s just never been picked up in an eye test before and he’s had one every year for years! He’s never had a retinal bleed to my knowledge so hopefully that’s not the case.

Hi.

I know this is an old thread but can I ask what happened with your DS in the end.

We have just been in for a routine eye check and come away with an urgent referral to the hospital, my teenage DS has a recent history of headaches and failed his visual field test, spots missed just like yours had.

I am going out of my mind sick with panic.

Thank you.