Ds eyetest may this now be a little more urgent?

[pyjamaramadrama]

Not really aibu but after advice from anyone with experience of this.

My dad noticed a few years ago that ds (now age 5) was going a little crossed eyed in one eye. The HV said at his two year development check to get it looked at asap as eye problems untreated may result in vision loss. I know this as I had untreated amblyopia (lazy eye) and now have little vision in one eye.

I got a referral to the children's hospital who did thorough tests and said ds had perfect eyesight and it just appeared he was going crossseyed due to an extra flap of skin over the eye.
And he was discharged

Now he's at school he had another eyetest and has been referred for the same problem. No loss of vision but a slight problem with eyes turning inwards.

I cancelled the first appointment two weeks ago as it would have meant him missing sports day. But we can't get another appointment until the end of Sept.

I'm now noticing that the problem seems to be getting worse. My sister noticed it last night too his eyes seen to be all over the place and not focusing at all.

Not sure if I should wait for the appointment, or perhaps go to an optician?

Go to a good local optician asap. Bribe DS with promise of present/treat for co-operating.

I would phone the hospital and explain your concerns they may be able to offer a cancellation at short notice if not ask them if they would recommend going to an optician in the meantime.

Whatever you do (and whatever optician says if you go to one) still keep hospital appointment as they will have more training in squints)

Thanks both, I will definitely keep appointment as yes they specialize in children. Been trying to ring for the past two days but no answer on the number. Wasn't sure whether to pop in?

Reason I thought to go to an optician was just to get a general idea of what's wrong as I'm confused about the difference between squint where there is loss of vision or not and how urgent the treatment will need to be.

Suggest posting in health. There are a couple of really good opticians on mn who gave me some great advice for dd.

Thanks sparrow, I have now posted in health as more appropriate, was just hoping a some quick replies due to traffic in here.

I am an orthoptist and can obviously only answer generally - if squint is very recently worse and still not there all the time the vision will be good but could deteriorate quite quickly hence need for quick appt

Or the vision can remain good if the squint swoops from eye to eye.

Or it could still be a pseudo squint ( the extra skin in corners of eyes remain prominent in some children for longer - giving look of a squint)

Thank you, it seemed to be in one eye when he was a baby but now in both.

I wish I hadn't cancelled that appointment now.

Sounds random but go to the GP as an urgent tomorrow - explain and they may well be able to access the Eye Dept's emergency service...

I was working with health visiting 2 years ago and referred a child in via this route with symptoms from the GP service.

Good luck