Preschool Glasses 3 YO

[FayreDarling]

I am seeking opinions regarding my son's optical prescription. During his eye exam, my 3-year-old became restless, making it difficult for me to follow the conversation with the optometrist. They informed me that his exam was okay, but after administering eye drops, they found that he was overusing his eye muscles and needed glasses for reading, even though he can't yet read. The prescription is +1.50 in both eyes, and his distance vision is fine. They suggested we start with glasses now or wait until his next review in six months.
However, my husband believes that optometrists are incentivised to sell glasses and that once we start using them, our son's eyes will become dependent on them. Can anyone with more experience share their views on this matter?"

Would also appreciate opinions as to whether to seek a second opinion?
The exam was asking him to name pictures if this helps at all.

Well children’s glasses are free so be sure to let your husband know that first of all.

I would have thought that straining to see would cause more problems then wearing glasses that will help him.

Did the optician use an ophthalmoscope to look into his eyes? Your son is long sighted and that can sometimes be rectified with the use of glasses

My daughter had glasses as a 3 year old due to a squint. The pictures you refer to is how they test young children's eyes when they don't know letters. Did he have to match the picture shown to him with one on a card in front of him? That's what my daughter had to do. I suppose you have nothing to lose with getting a second opinion, you could just take him to another optician? If he does need them though, it will just make things easier for him when he is reading at nursery or preschool.

Was this at a high street optician or in a medical setting? Ime they prefer to see children under 5 at an eye hospital because it's difficult to measure their eyesight accurately at an opticians. I'd talk to your HV.

Yes, well known high street optician.

Thank you so much to all that have responded. Your comments have all been really useful and duly noted. Thank you!

I'm not sure that I recall seeing one of those but there was a lot of eye scanning - at least two sets were done, potentially three. I can't say for certain because it was tricky getting him to sit for as long as was necessary for them to line things up for the picture

Personally I wouldn’t usually prescribe for +1.5, but it depends on their binocular vision status, some degrees of latent squint and/or AC/A ratio mean it’s sometimes prudent to correct sooner.

@GNR2022 an ophthalmoscope helps us to look at the retina, not give an idea of the refractive error.

@NuffSaidSam the hospital wouldn’t accept a referral for asymptomatic 3 year old.

i’d go back and get a second opinion.