optometrist visit

[ktrue]

my dd had a sight test at school recently and was referred to the local clinic to see an optometrist. She has been diagnosed with astygmatism in both eyes and her results show long sightedness, the actual figures are right eye - +1.50, -0.50, 175 and left eye +1.75, -1.00 and 10, referring to Sph, then Cyl and then Axis.

I have no idea what any of this means and was really shocked to be told she needs glasses immediately and must wear them at all times, she is five and a half and at no point has her vision seemed a problem either at home or school. Does anyone have any advice or can translate this for me into something I can get my head around please??!!

sorry, boring post i know but can anyone advise me please?

I'm no optician but wear glasses myself, as does DD2.

The first + number (+1.50 and +1.75) refer to the degree of long-sightedness. The higher the number the worse it is. Long sighted means she can't see things close up.

The other numbers refer to measurements within or of the eye I think.

Astigmatism occurs when the front of the eye is slightly mis-shaped and light doesn't refract (bend) properly, causing blurring of vision.

Glasses will correct the visual problems and you'll be surprised how quickly she will adapt to wearing them. She probably has coped with blurred vision for a while and will be chuffed that things are so much clearer!

Sorry - I have no idea what all the numbers mean, even though I have two daughters who wear their glasses all the time! Both have been under hospital optometrists since before they were 2 (now 2.7yo and 4.10yo).

They also both have prescriptions for long-sightedness (DD1 +7.5 in both eyes with astigmatism and amblyopia; DD2 +4.5 in both eyes and a slight astigmatism)

I have always found the hospital people very helpful in answering questions - only have never asked about the specific numbers on the prescriptions! Then again, I am short sighted and don't know what the individual numbers on mine mean either.

As for the fact that you DD does not seem to have had sight problems before - DD1 can manage without her glasses for up to 20 minutes as a time and never complains about not bring able to see properly. I have been told that the eye muscles work harder to do whatever they do so enable her to see okay without her glasses.

I am sure someone with more knowledge will be along soon - however, both my girls look great in their glasses, have never had any negative comments and have always been happy to wear them (although DD2 took a month or so to get used to her at the age of 18 months).

ktrue, I am an optometrist but the other ladies have explained the prescription very well!

You have to remember that children do not necessarily always appear to have vision problems. They don't know how well other children see, so have nothing to compare themselves with IYKWIM. So your dd may well have a lazy eye or have difficulty focussing on things which are close up and to her that's normal.

The actual numbers on their own are not the deciding factor on whether glasses are prescribed or not. You could test two children, get similar amounts of long-sightedness and decide to prescribe glasses for one and not the other simply because one child is coping and the other is not. It is very much an indiviudual thing.

Really the best person to answer any questions is the optometrist who tested your child. She will be able to look over the file and answer any questions you might have.