Any opticians or people with eye problem knowledge? double/blurred vision

[2018nearly]

Looking for some urgent advice. My daughter who does not wear glasses was workign very laboriously on homework last week - when I asked her she said when she writes she can see her writing in double or even quadruple. This does not happen when she reads. When pushed this appears to have been going on for as long as she can remember. Obviously this is alarming as it means she cannot write properly and it makes it very difficult to complete any schoolwork or homework. We have been to the optician and she has an extremely slight prescription but this is not what is causing the issue.

The optician has referred her to the borough optical department but I’ve been told it might be up to 8 weeks before anyone sees her. Obviously this is impractical as she cannot currently take part fully in any of the lessons at school. Does anyone have any idea what this might be? Any advice on who to take her to see as I don't think it very practical to leave this.

I get this albeit when reading too . It’s eye strain perhaps. Is she taking regular breaks ?

It is all the time.

Would you pay privately to see someone if not happy or indeed get a second opinion ? I know when I have eye tests I often wonder if they got it right

Yes another eye test set up for later in week but I think it may be something more then an eye test hence sourcing ideas from others as to what to do. Thnaks very much.

Is is just words she sees in double - for example if she looks at you is it blurred?
Could she be dyslexic OP?

While waiting for aid - you could see if writing on coloured paper helps. (Try various colours.)

Is it just words on the page she sees double or is that mainly where she sees it.

Does she have any other symptoms alongside it

My daughter recently admitted the same thing and hers is due to a squint - however she manages it so it doesnt effect her (it did take 2.5 months from referral though to completing the assessment at hospital). I also have a squint though and suffer from it as well.

I think you have a suspicion about what it is. When my daughter told me I was 99.9% certain it was a squint!

Dyslexia doesn't cause double vision. It's likely to be a latent squint (phoria) or convergence insufficiency. There's a possibility it could be something else - but unlikely as it's quite a long wait time.

Both of the above can be treated with prisms, glasses or exercises (or both). That can of course be done at the hospital, but if you want something done sooner, You just need someone locally with an interest in children's vision. If you're struggling, please pm me and I'll try and find someone for you.