DD age 6, no concerns re eyesight been given v strong prescription for longsightedness but prescription says she is short sighted? 2nd opinion?

[k8lim]

Hello, first time poster. So DD is 6, zero concerns at any pre-school / p1 eye tests. I’ve noticed over last month she is squinting slightly in morning when tired. Took her to boots last week, no obvious concerns raised and optometrist said right eye slightly weaker but she didn’t think needed prescription. I went back today, she has the drops in, no further tests (letters etc) and has been given a prescription for +6 and +5. The optician didn’t explain what that meant (nobody in the family wears glasses) and I only actually read prescription after we left. What is v strange is below the prescription it suggests she is short sighted but the prescription is for long. Any help? Should I get second opinion? Thanks

I would take her back for another test. What you’ve been told doesn’t fit with the prescription.

Ok thanks. There was no explanation about how, when to wear them. To be honest I’m really disappointed and let down with the whole experience. I have no issues whatsoever with her having glasses but I do not believe the prescription is correct x

The Cyclo drops is an objective test and the number with the drops will be the same whatever optician or hospital you take her to. It is not abnormal for her to not show symptoms as she isn't reading long novels at age 6 and her accommodation is allowing her to focus for the length of time she needs to see a picture book. The issue is not getting glasses puts her at risk of delays in learning and higher risk of a lazy eye or squint. It seems to be the explanation wasn't clear which coupled with the computer default to ticking just distance glasses has caused confusion in turn fuelling the doubts as you felt everything was ok with your dd's vision .

I do believe at a first appointment they really should take the time to explain things. I never had glasses as a child so it was all very unfamiliar to me when I started going as an adult

I can understand why you don’t have any confidence in the prescription as it sounds as if they haven’t explained themselves well at all.

I’d get another opinion, probably from an independent optician instead of a chain as (in my opinion) they have to rely on a good reputation and therefore take a bit more care with their customers as opposed to larger chain stores.

Without sounding like ‘that mum’ she has been reading chapter books (currently on HP and chamber of secrets) since 5 and never complained or noticed any issues. I’m going with my gut and it could be because nobody in family has ever has visual issues but it doesn’t feel right

There should have been/will be a follow up post the Cyclo appointment to check her vision in the glasses to see if one eye is lazy or there is a turn in one eye with the prescription. At this appointment they should explain exactly when to wear the glasses and answer any questions you have. So your dd would normally be checked at collection of glasses then 1-3 months after- so regular review. If you aren't happy after speaking to the practice manager and book elsewhere explain she has already had a Cyclo test and take the prescription with you so she isn't subjected to drops again.

I was the 'cleverest' child in my primary school and at my school test age 8 I couldn't see the top letter on the chart (very shortsighted) -so being clever doesn't mean you have perfect eyesight. If you do take her elsewhere please ask to speak to the optometrist before the appointment and explain your distrust of the numbers and the process so the experience is better for you.

Hi OP

Definitely get a second opinion, I personally like vision express for kids.

My DD has a similar prescription and was referred to the hospital

The school sight tests being ok means nothing, they are utterly crap and miss many things.

Hospital might recommend patching or more more frequent checks. Nothing to worry about. But def go see another optician and push for a referral

I wasn’t inferring that being clever means you have perfect eyesight. You suggested eye issues would be missed at this age because she is reading picture books and I said she wasn’t. Thanks for your advice on everything

Kids have really flexible eye muscles that overcome the long sight which is why she doesn’t appear to have any problems. You’ve got to remember as well that she would have always been like this, won’t know what ‘normal’ vision is and kids adapt really well.
You should try the glasses and see how it goes, you might be surprised in the difference!

When my dd got glasses at 18 months it was a shock to us as we didn't wear glasses. She had a strong prescription and also a squint.

I would speak to the optician when you go to collect the glasses and raise your concerns. And then see if her vision is improved when wearing the glasses.

And using the drops makes for a more accurate prescription so I doubt that it is actually wrong apart from the wrong box being ticked at the bottom.

So OP, did they do a test for long sightedness? They would usually show you words to read a couple of feet from your face (or something else if you're young, possibly?).

What happened in that test?

I agree that I would be confused by that prescription without some significant extra information and explanation from what you've said so far?

@k8lim
I've spotted which town you are in.

Im not saying Boots are wrong but I advise taking the prescription to an independent optician.
I can recommend Lesley Dobbie on Sandgate or Urquharts on Dalblair Road

Why do you need to take her to a hospital?? She's long sighted and needs help to see things in the distance. Seeing close things is fine.

Opticians have very sophisticated tests these days; they don't get things wrong.

What makes you think you know better than an optometrist?!

Did you ask what the numbers mean? Opticians are usually v happy to do this.

The optician has referred her to the hospital, not me.

I didn’t get a copy of the prescription until I asked for it when was at the till paying for the glasses. He didn’t even tell me if she was long or short sighted

I’ve spoke to someone who works at Urquharts tonight when in, will give them a call tomorrow thanks.

Last week when in she has lots of depth analysis tests(?) like spot the number in the image, what animal jumps out at you etc and all were really good. Her read the letters test was back to front on a screen behind her and reflected on to a mirror in front. Again all was told was that she couldn’t see any immediate issues other than her right was slightly weaker than left. I get the purpose of the drops and understand accommodating but feel for such a strong prescription to be issued something would have shown up earlier

When I hear "short-sighted", I still have to consciously work out on my fingers what it means. "OK, so your short/near sight is good, so it's your long/far sight that is poor".

It's hugely counter-intuitive because it mentions the bit that probably isn't affected. It implies that if your vision at a distance is poor, your vision close up ("short sight") must be good, hence you are "short-sighted". But that's not necessarily true - you could also have terrible close up sight. Ask anyone with varifocals.

(Personal taste bit: To me it also sounds like one of those weird 1990s euphemisms where people would do anything to say that someone had a disability, which ended up with piss-takes like "vertically challenged" and "chemically enhanced".)

When I am ruler of the world, "short-sighted" and "long-sighted" will be banned. There will be only "Difficulty seeing things at a distance" and "Difficulty seeing things nearby", and you can have both. 👑

Echoing what others have said, but children can be really good at coping and no issues spotted until they have a sight test and a prescription is found. I’ve dispensed many children 1st time glasses of similar prescription. What’s important is the vision is corrected ASAP

Unsure on Scotlands stance on 2nd opinion eye tests covered by the NHS, but in England there is no automatic allowance for a 2nd opinion eye test covered by the NHS.

Guidance says when there is an issue to go back to the original opticians. It may be possible to see a different Optometrist at the original practice

Definitely needs hospital orthoptist appointment.