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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU To think squinting isn't normal?

17 replies

DizzyZebra · 10/02/2013 23:12

My son keeps doing a weird squint sort of thing... He srunches his face up and closes his eyes nearly shut.

I noticed it yesterday and OH insists that it's because he's tired, But i've not seen him do it before.

He has been discovering various things though and copying me pulling faces, making more sounds, So i don't know if he's seen me squinting at the TV or something, or if it's something i've done when messing around and playing that he's copied.

He had diarreah yesterday, only small bits but it was pretty disgusting. Other than that he seems normal.

I don't remember DD doing anything like this, But then she was more into growling and making noises with the back of her throat because she is deaf.

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit i have no idea whats normal and what's not at this stage, It's all so different from how DD was.

OP posts:
CailinDana · 10/02/2013 23:13

How old is he?

HollyBerryBush · 10/02/2013 23:14

Take him to the opticians

Original poster
DizzyZebra · 10/02/2013 23:49

He's 16 months.
I don't think it's a sight thing, he seems to be doing it randomly, not like he's actually trying to look at anything.

If it's not normal i'll go to the docs in the morning about it.

OP posts:
BoysAreLikeDogs · 11/02/2013 00:15

optician

Illgetmegoat · 11/02/2013 00:17

Does he focus on things properly when he's actually looking at them? If he watches the TV or is looking at a book with you is he looking square on or maybe obliquely?
Is he ok with different light levels etc?

A trip to the opticians wouldn't hurt. TBH they are better placed than the GP initially.

blackteaplease · 11/02/2013 00:27

An opticion won't see a.child under 3. You'll need to get a referral from gp to get their eyes tested.

It doesn't sound normal and is worth getting checked out.

saladcreamwitheverything · 11/02/2013 00:27

My boy has a squint too. He's coming up 13 months. I was concerned and I've had a word with someone I know who's an eye doc, and she said not to worry until he's 18 months, but since then I reckon my lads has got worse. It's not all the time, but sometimes he goes really "bozzeyed" so we're gonna take him next week to see if he needs to be referred.

saladcreamwitheverything · 11/02/2013 00:30

I mentioned it to my optician when i went for my eye test and they won't refer, it has to be GP.

ElectricMonk · 11/02/2013 01:16

My mum was a childminder and quite a few of the babies she looked after did that, generally when they were slightly uncomfortable. Some just seemed to find it entertaining though :).

If he doesn't have any obvious problems with his vision (i.e. can see aeroplanes overhead, identify things in picture books etc) or other physical symptoms I personally wouldn't be concerned, but that's not to say that you shouldn't take him to the GP. If you're worried that something's wrong, the least they will do is check him over and reassure you.

Snowfedup · 11/02/2013 02:09

Hi is he always doing it when looking at a particular distance eg always when looking out of the window or tv at far side of room or always when looking at a close object?

Does one eye seem to roll in or out ever ?

To be honest if it is random and he seems happy at the time he is probably just enjoying the novelty and it should get less.

On the other hand if it doesn't settle get a referral via your health visitor to an orthoptist to get it checked out they can test from birth (although more tests can be done from 6 months onwards)

A lot of eye problems run in families so another thing to think about is your own family history of glasses or squints ?

NewAtThisMalarky · 11/02/2013 07:06

I'm surprised - our optician would see babies from 3 months. No referral needed.

It's been a while though, since mine were little, so rules might easily havd changed.

JeffFaFa · 11/02/2013 09:51

Ds2 is 17 months and has just stopped doing this, he would scrunch his face and eyes up and breath noisily through his nose, i havnt noticed him do it recently so must of stopped, if your worried id speak to gp, cant do any harm.

LittleMissFantabulous · 11/02/2013 09:56

Your health visitor should able to refer you through to the children's optician. I had my lad referred at about eighteen months. He was fine then, but has just had his firstnpair of glasses at give and a half.

valiumredhead · 11/02/2013 10:00

Optician asap! I squinted badly when I needed glasses, I didn't even realise I was doing it at the time.

mollymole · 11/02/2013 12:30

Opticians do see children under 3yrs (I work in one). However, it would be better to get him checked at the GP, they usually refer to HES (Hospital Eye Service) for one as young as your DS.
If the HES think he needs corrective specs then you will be given a voucher to take to an optician to dispense the spx.

blackteaplease · 11/02/2013 15:28

oh ok, i tried to get dd an appointment at boots when she was 2.10 and they wouldn't let me until she was 3. Must have just been them, not all opticians. sorry for incorrect advice and also bad typing, ds on lap.

chipmonkey · 11/02/2013 15:41

I see small babies but not all optoms are happy to do so. But do get his eyes checked. It might be nothing but if there is a problem early intervention is best.

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