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Original poster

Possible lazy eye?

17 replies

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 09/12/2016 21:37

Not sure if this is the right place to be posting.
I have noticed that one of my DDs eyes is slightly turned in towards her nose. I have an astigmatism so it's in the family. Only problem is, is she is 9 months old so not sure if this is a common thing for babies to have in turned eyes which will correct itself? Or if she is old enough to take to a opticians?
I know that it's easier to correct vision problems the earlier it's caught but not sure if now is too early?

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dementedpixie · 09/12/2016 22:54

I would see your HV as they can refer for further testing if necessary. My Dd had a squint at 18 months old and it was the HV that referred us to the hospital Orthoptist and she ended up with glasses for long sight.

firsttimemum15 · 09/12/2016 22:55

Mention it at your 9 month check

blueistheonlycolourwefeel · 09/12/2016 22:56

My son has had glasses and a patch for this. Go and see your GP or HV and ask to be referred.

SpeakNoWords · 09/12/2016 22:59

I had the same with DS1, with a family history too. I had a referral for further eye checks at the hospital. It turns out that my DS just had a pseudosquint, which isn't a problem. I'd mention it to your HV and see if you can get a referral for checks.

Tootsiepops · 09/12/2016 23:02

My little girl had her eyes checked for a squint at 10 months. There's a limit to how much they can test at that age, but they can do some. Her dad has a very slight squint, but my lo's was a pseudo squint.

Original poster
PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 09/12/2016 23:17

Thank you for your replies. I haven't been told about a 9 month check with HV? I will give HV a call either tomorrow (do they work Saturday?) if they don't work Saturday I'll give them a call on Monday about her eyes

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firsttimemum15 · 09/12/2016 23:20

Ours was nearer 10mo depends on area my friends little girl is near 11 mo but tis supposed to be odne around that time and the questionnaire asks about eyes

dementedpixie · 09/12/2016 23:56

Not all areas get the same checks so I'd just phone anyway. Best to get it checked early

BlackSwan · 10/12/2016 07:01

We were told if the eye turn perished beyond 3 months that it needed to be seen to. By 7 months our little one was in glasses. It's not uncommon. Ask to be referred to an ophthalmologist.

BlackSwan · 10/12/2016 07:01

perished? Persisted!

Callmecordelia · 10/12/2016 07:08

I got a referral through my GP for DS due to family history and his eye wandering. He was about seven months. They could check some things and he is being tested again next year. The important thing is he is now in the system and any problem will be picked up early.

Original poster
PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 10/12/2016 17:22

I looked but midwives arnt available to call at the weekends so will call them on Monday and see what they suggest

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firsttimemum15 · 10/12/2016 20:50

Most places do do a check up it takes place between 9 and 11 mo. They will refer you.
Good luck

booellesmum · 10/12/2016 21:06

Hi - Orthoptist here.
If you speak to your Health Visitor they should refer you to an Orthoptist.
Depending on your area they will see you at a community health centre or in the hospital. The first thing they will do is assess the position of your DD's eyes and how they move. This will help determine if there is a true squint or a pseudosquint.
A true squint is when the eyes are not aligned properly and can be associated with needing glasses. Sometimes a squint can lead to reduced vision in the turning eye which then requires a patch on the straight eye to encourage the vision to improve in the weaker one. If the Orthoptist feels there is a true squint they will ask the hospital Optician and Ophthalmologist to check your DD as well.
A pseudosquint is the appearance of a squint when the eyes are actually straight. This is usually caused by epicanthus - the broad nose that little ones have - and the appearance improves as the bridge of the nose develops with age.
All children should have an eye test once a year at an Opticians from the age of 5 as a need for glasses can develop at any age as the eyes grow and change, but before this an Orthoptist is usually the person to be referred to if a problem is suspected.

TheLadyWithTheYellowHat · 10/12/2016 21:10

We had the same problem with ds, he had a double squint and ended up having surgery, we are lucky enough to live very close to Manchester eye hospital so got a referral there, two years down the line we still have the problem (surgery didn't correct properly) its quite common and apparently the sooner you take them to be seen the easier it is for them to correct it

Original poster
PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 12/12/2016 09:21

Just spoken to the MW and DD is being referred to an Orthoptist. Can take a few months to get the appointment through but at least we have started the process. Thank you for all your help

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