Eyetest for non-verbal 2.4 yr old?

[yomellamoHelly]

I think my son is struggling to see things at a distance. (For example, we went to a wedding yesterday and he was squinting to see the paintings on the ceiling.)
I went to the GP today who told me to go to an optician. Went to the (independent - so assume they know what they're talking about) optician who said to go to the GP!
I know I've seen other very small children with glasses in the past and wondered if anyone here has any experience of this issue.
It's complicated by the fact that he isn't really talking yet.
Thanks in advance

I think that they can gague (to a degree) how strong your glasses need to by by shinkg light into the eyes and watching where it focuses. But that would only give a rough idea IYSWIM

My DD had to go to the opthalmologist at the hosp as she had a slight turn when born - the tests she had up to 2.6 were all picture related, she didn't have to say anything, somehow they were assessing whether she was looking in the right place. Have you considered your HV, s/he may have more of an idea of what your ds should be able to see, and perhaps point you in the direction of a clued up optician?

Have a word with your hv or go back to the gp and see if you can get refered to hospital.

My ds had a squint and they first tested him with pictures, like a house etc and got him to look at pictures on sticks. He then had drops in his eyes and the consultant could tell from that how his vision was.
He did wear glasses but after an operation on each eye for squints his vision is excellent.
I hope this helps.

They did manage to dx my dd with long sightedness and nystagmus and she ws non verbal too.
They move objects and watch the eye movement, plus use lenses in front of their eyes to guage the eye movement.
It is possible to get a good estimation.

Thank you all. Will go back to the GP and get a referral. Must have caught her on a bad day.