paediatric opthamologist questions

[tincent]

Hi
I'm really concerned about DS's eye. We have a referral to the eye clinic underway (saw gp last week) but have been told it will take months. I don't have much money but am considering going private. My questions are...
Does anyone know a decent paediatric opthamologist?
How much do they cost?
Thanks so much. I'm worried sick!

I can't answer your questions, so hopefully someone will know.

However, how old is DS?

How old is dsand what are the concerns I'm a dispensing optician

Where are you?

The eye consultant at kings is excellent.

Presumably moorfields eye hospital is pretty good too.

Do bear in mind though that you will be leapfrogged up the nhs queue if it really is urgent. Wait lists aren't first come first served if there's a need.

Do you know which consultant/clinic you've been referred to? The consultants secretary is key- if you ring them, are very nice and polite, explain your concerns (write a little list), they can see if the consultant wants to see you sooner.

Most regions have a specialist eye department. If you google yours it's an easy job to find if any of them practice privately- again a polite phone call to a secretary will tell you what you need.

What is the problem with his eye and where are you in the country?

DS has had a lot of problems with his eye and several operations. I know a couple of great paediatric ophthalmologists, one of whom we saw privately as well as on the NHS.

Chances are though that they are not that worried as urgent referrals can happen if required. Although I know that doesn't help as you are worried about your DC.

Sorry back to cost. We had health insurance but did most of the eye stuff on the NHS as the NHS eye clinic near us is fantastic and we had great service. We only went private for one op, the most simple squint one, to have it done at a time that suited us (but with a Dr we knew) . His more complicated surgery we always had through the NHS as there was better support available. So whilst private was a no cost option for us we didn't use it much at all for eye things.

Hi All
DS is three. He has what looks like mild ptosis in one eye (pupil not covered yet). It is not congenital but started coming on mid march (looked back at pics to see this). I started getting really concerned when it became more pronounced end of April - I'd put it down to tiredness of starting pre school before then.

He also has a stye just inside his lower lid which has been there since mid June (has had a week of anti bio eyedrops - although how many drops made it in is debateable). I have also noticed sporadic tiny, clear bubbles under his top lashes on the rim of the eye.
Vision seems to be OK but he just looks so different. People keep commenting on how tired he is etc. I'm concerned about vision being effected.
Oh and I am in London - apologies for long post.
Thanks.

ophthalmologist....sorry!

I think you need a good optometrist, perhaps one with independent prescriber qualification. There will be several in the London area. If your DS needs to be seen by an ophthalmologist the optometrist will make an appropriate referral.

Forgive me for being ignorant about this, but is an optometrist an optician? I went in to two local opticians and they refused to see DS as he was under 5. Sorry if I've confused the roles.

I think the issue with private is that the costs quickly escalate. From a consultation at say £200 to a quick test then the orthoptist on top to check vision etc. You would quickly build up more than £500 then another check etc is another £200 then a monitoring visit etc etc.

From a quick google ptosis is not an emergency condition and that explains why you are on the standard wait list. The main risk seems to be developing a lazy eye if the eyelid droops over the pupil, which is fairly easily treatable firstly with patches and then if necessary straightforward surgery. At the moment as it doesn't cover his pupil that wouldn't seem to be a risk but I would try and get bumped up if it does droop further.

If money is an issue I would not pay to go privately but phone up the clinic and make them aware you're willing to go in for short notice cancellations to be seen earlier.

The advice re the consultant's secretary is worth knowing but I don't think at this stage they will push you up the queue. In my experience a longer term relationship can lead to it being effective but for a first consultation I am less sure you'd be successful.

Thank you. I've also been googling but can find nothing about acquired ptosis in childhood, just congenital. The concerns about escalating costs are big ones and why I haven't gone private to date. Good idea re cancellation list, I'll speak to the gp about where he's been referred to as I've no idea, just that it has happened. Thank you.

Quick update... have managed to find an optician who will look at a 3 year old. At least they should be able to see if it's anything serious. Thanks all for advice and wish me luck for tomorrow.

How did it go OP?

Hello there
Well I think... the optician said she could see nothing untoward that suggested a major problem, or that the ptosis was neurological. She's writing us a referral to see if it's mechanical or caused by inflammation and seemed to lean toward it being the latter. She told me to hand her letter to my GP in person and request a referral to a child friendly clinic - even though they have already said they have referred us. It will still be 6 weeks from referral to get to eye clinic but at least now I know it is hopefully nothing sinister and can just keep close watch on how he's doing. Nice to be treated like a sane person and not a nuisance! I will def chase up your idea about taking cancellation appts too once I find out where I've been referred. Thank you.

Glad to hear that it was reassuring.

Thanks for the update, glad you found an optician/optometrist who could help