Astigmatism

[LissaQ]

DS, 3.5 has today been diagnosed with "bad astigmatism in both eyes" and has been prescribed glasses. I'm devastated, stupid as I know there are millions of things worse and both DH and myself wear glasses, but neither from such a young age. We've been told he must wear them all the time or there is a danger of permanent damage to his sight. He is a sporty little lad, never happier than when playing football, tennis or cricket and I'm worried it's going to put him off (I hated playing sport in my glasses, could never see as they kept steaming up!). Anyway else been through the same, can recommend best type of frames for sporty boys and how the blazes I'm going to get him to wear them. Feel really upset.

I can't help re the frames, I'm sure a better qualified MNer will be along soon. I have very bad astigmatisms in both eyes (as well as being amazingly short sighted!). Given that the glasses will improve your sons ability to see clearly they will probably help him with his sports . I rem,ember clearly how amazed I was the first time I wore my glasses. I saw them as a miracle! And never had to be told to wear them. Stress how they will improve his ability to see the ball etc, and remember that Harry Potter has done so much to make glasses 'cool'. Your son will also get his choice of free designer frames, not like the awful NHS things that were around when I was small. Dd has to wear glasses (diagnosed at 6) and she love them. Looks drop dead georgous in them as well. Hope you feel better about it soon.

Hi LissaQ

There are quite a few threads about getting kids to wear glasses. My daughter was diagnosed with an astigmatism in one eye and long sightedness in both - very badly in one eye - at about 3.5. And neither me nor her father have an eye sight problems. Have really had no problems with getting her to wear glasses. Once she got used to how much better she could see with them she never looked back. She is really quite "blind" in one eye. Reaches for them first thing in the morning like a little old lady. She swims and is very active. Has not put her off anything. Think it feels worse for you. There are a lot more kids wearing glasses now than there were when I was a child.

I get mine from Specsavers since they are free. Frames are pretty cool now. I'd let your little lad choose for himself. You'll have to keep replacing them every 6 months or so as they tinker with his prescription, he grows etc. It really isn't as bad as you think. And he'll look so cute.

Another be-spectacled cutie here. DD has worn them since she was 2 and as others have said, no probs with getting her to wear them or with other kids' reactions.

If it helps there are Action Man branded glasses in our local optician and see if you can get a spare pair. DD recently snapped her frames so the fact that our ever so helpful optician is happy to put her new prescription in both the new frames and the old frames is great.

Thank you, feeling a bit more positive about it now - you're right, it's more me than him, I'm sure he'll take to it like a duck to water, I'm projecting my utter loathing of my glasses when I was a child on to him! He'll be very keen on the Action Man glasses - if they did Spiderman, even better!!!!