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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

How early can you start correcting a lazy eye?

19 replies

bravissimo · 10/05/2008 13:08

DS is just over 9 months and i've noticed that one of his eyes seems to turn inwards in his photos, its very slight when just looking at him but really noticeable in photos. I'm going to go to the GP next week to see if it is a lazy eye or not but just wondering if anyone had treatment for it this early and what it involved. I'm pretty sure that he would not wear a patch and would just try and remove it as he doesn't like anything on his head at all and refuses to wear hats, etc

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theAfkaUrbanDryad · 10/05/2008 13:16

Baby eyes don't properly focus up until they're about 2.5 so I wouldn't have thought it was anything to worry about at this stage. might be worth having a chat with your HV or taking him to an opticians just so they can have a look. I got ds' eyes tested for the first time at this age, more so he'd get used to it than anything else, and unless there's a serious health problem they won't do anything yet.

HTH.

DaisySteiner · 10/05/2008 13:23

They will probably refer you to a paedeatric eye clinic and get you to start patching. DD has had problems with her eyesight from when she was tiny and we were told to patch her eye from about 4 months old. Yes, it is hard work to get them to stay on!! The sooner these things are dealt with the better so do go and see your GP.

Original poster

bravissimo · 10/05/2008 18:06

Thanks. Daisy is your DD's eyesight corrected now? i will go to the GP and let you know how we get on in case anyone else is facing similar problems.

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sarah293 · 10/05/2008 18:15

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RubyRioja · 10/05/2008 18:23

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Seona1973 · 10/05/2008 20:24

my dd (4 1/2) has had glasses from 18 months as she had a squint and when it was investigated she was found to be long sighted as well. She also did patching for a while but that stopped once her sight in the left eye improved - she still squints though and is due to have a op on her left eye next month to correct it.

riven please see your gp or hv about the squint as it is best to start treatment as soon as possible as your lo's eyesight could be affected otherwise.

DaisySteiner · 10/05/2008 21:21

Hi bravissimo, no my dd's eyesight isn't corrected now, it's all very complicated and she doesn't actually have a squint - the patching was partly intended to prevent one developing.

Let us know how you go with the GP.

joannawood · 10/05/2008 21:39

Get your boy to your GP. My DD is exactly as you described - worse in photos etc but seemed happy.
Took her to GP following advice from here and she's been referred to a paedeatric eye specialist. There were no if's or buts, it was a straight referral.
As far as i understand it, its one of those things which is easier to treat the earlier its caught.
Good luck!

joannawood · 10/05/2008 21:40

I should add, we haven't been yet - booked in for the 15th, i'll let you know how it goes

sarah293 · 11/05/2008 08:43

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TheGoddessBlossom · 11/05/2008 11:05

My boy woke up with a pronounced squint one morning, h is now 21 months but was 19 months then. It is caused by severe long sight and the brain had basically given up on it, if we had left it untreated he would have lost all sight in it altogether. He wears patches and glasses (when he is not lobbing them out of the car window that is hmm]), may need a corrective op as well.....

charx · 11/05/2008 13:29

Hi, my niece aged just 18 months is having treatment/correction for squint eye (and sight problems). Go see your doctor to get a referral. Niece's mum is a GP and got it sorted without having to push too much.

mumeeee · 12/05/2008 21:42

DD1 21 had correction for a lazy eye from the age of 2 and DD2 18 had Glasses from 13 months. They are both fine now and do not stoill wear glasses. Although they are supposed to still have an eye test every 2 years.

bigcar · 13/05/2008 14:15

bravissimo, it's best to get it checked, dd3 started patching her lazy eye at 5 months and got glasses at 7 months so your ds is not too young at all. Patching is not always easy but so long as you are up for plenty of bribery and corruption, it is possible!

Riven, that's awful! I know it probably feels like you're adding another specialist to the list but please do make a fuss and get a referral to your local eye unit.

Original poster

bravissimo · 15/05/2008 19:28

hello, I went to the GP and he has referred us to the hospital. He wasn't sure if there was a problem or not but referred us to be on the safe side and told us to take pictures with us. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long.

OP posts:

LoopyLena · 15/05/2008 19:34

My DD also has a squint, she was refered at her 9 month check and has regular check ups at the orthopics dept of our local hospital. She is 20 months now and is long sighted and has other muscle strength issues as well as this weakness in the muscle behind her eye. We also took pictures with us initially.

CaptainUnderpants · 15/05/2008 19:36

40 yrs ago I had a corrective Op at 18months old for a squint / lazy eye. Wore patches periodically over a number of years.

Eye has lasted me well , but it is now is extremely lazy and I see most things out of my good eye.

Howvere I have never worn glasses and passed lots of eye sight tests throughout my previous career.

Catch it early ! Hope all goes well for your DS

Looby34 · 25/05/2008 20:09

My dd (2.4) woke up one day with a squint which Dr confirmed. We were referred to an orthoptist who gave her a sight test and confirmed she was not short sighted (so could not be treated with glasses). She had to wear a patch over her good eye initially for 4 hrs a day. Only 5 or so weeks later she was tested again and the vision in the squint eye had improved so well that she now only has to wear the patch for 1 hour a day until she is tested again in 5 weeks or so.

They have, however, told us that no matter how well the vision improves, she will need surgery to improve the squint itself - but that she will be in and out of hospital in a day and the pain will be able to be managed with paracetemol - so it can't be too bad for them.

We worried about the patching, but it is like a plaster - not a patch like a pirate if you get my drift. You get transfers to put on the patch and initially she liked to choose which one she wanted. Now my artistic skills are put to the test as she tells me which character she wants me to draw on her patch (Peppa Pig/ Thomas etc). I also ask her to tell me which character she wants me to draw on her dolly's patch (a plaster). She also gets to choose from a big batch of stickers (for her and her dolly) and she gets a few smarties. Not an ideal start to the day I know, but it won't be forever...

Good luck.

IAteRosemaryConleyForBreakfast · 25/05/2008 21:12

We saw an orthoptist this week about DS's squint. GP referred us immediately.

Squint a lot better, and orthoptist couldn't see it, but wants us to bring him back for a recheck in 4 months anyway because there's much better chance of correction if treated early. Hospital were lovely and no problems with seeing us even though problem almost resolved.

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