Private eye doctor

[Diggersandunicorns]

Has anyone got any experiences of going private for children’s eye health and was it worth it?
My DS has severe long sightedness (+7.5 and +6.5) and also quite severe astigmatism (-4.0 and -2.5) and also has a squint. He’s 5.5 now and we’ve been going to the hospital every three months since he was 3 but I’m getting frustrated. Nothing seemed to change, with incremental gains in his eye strength each time but not enough to have an obvious ‘strong eye’ to patch to help with the squint and I’m worried we’re running out of time there, until last time when his eyesight had deteriorated and they checked his prescription and identified the severity of his astigmatism.
I was back there this week with him and the new glasses have significantly improved his vision which is great but the consultant ordered a scan of his eye because of the astigmatism but no one could tell me why or what would/could trigger further treatment/contact so I have no idea what the scan is for. And still no sign of patching.
We can afford to go private but I’m not sure if I’m expecting too much and if I’d even get a different service. I just want a clear understanding of what’s happening and an action plan for the squint.
I’m frustrated that they missed the astigmatism for so long. Even with the voucher I’m spending hundreds every few months on glasses as he needs two pairs, as he’s five and boisterous, and the thinning is expensive. I’d just got him two new pairs, sunglasses and goggles in May/June based on the prescription they’d done then, only for them to realise in October that they’d got it totally wrong.

With scans being ordered and the squint worsening, it sounds as if it’s changed. It would be inconceivable for that amount of astigmatism to be missed.

the main aim of patching is to improve the amount of letters on the chart that an eye can see, it doesn’t directly stop the eye from turning in, but it’s likely that his stronger prescription will help the eye not to turn in as much.

i don’t think it’s worth paying to see anyone until you know the result of the scans.

@mistymorning12 thanks. I know you’re right but I have no idea if I’m going to be told the results of the scan. I was just told they’d send me another routine appointment for three months time and, when I asked about the results of the scan, they just said the consultant might be in touch depending on the results but they couldn’t tell me what the results would have to be to trigger the follow up or what they’re looking for. When we went to scanning room the member of staff said they’d never done a child so young but she couldn’t tell me what the consultant was looking for. It’s the lack of communication which is driving me a bit mad.

His squint is definitely corrected to some degree by the glasses, always has been, but I thought the patching would strengthen the weaker eye further and bring it more in line in the hope the two eyes would work together. I also see people saying you can’t patch past 6 or 7 so I don’t want to miss the window.

My daughter patched up to 6hrs a day for over 5yrs with great success improving her vision but her prescription in the same/similar and her eyes will never work together. Her squint isn't noticeable with glasses which is great unfortunately she's not suitable for surgical correction.

I have a less severe version of everything she has and was able to have my squint corrected which I feel really guilty about.

Would also like a second opinion so hoping someone replies with a recommendation.

Hi
i think that the scan will be to check for keratoconus. It shows up as larger amounts of astigmatism to begin with, I think because it seems new, they will want to check there’s no signs of it developing. It seems poor that they didn’t explain that to you. Keratconus is rare and most people with even larger amounts of astigmatism don’t develop it. There are treatments for it if it does develop
A private appointment might set your mind at rest as a one-off, as you might get longer than discuss your worries etc, but frequent private appointments would be costly if you are attending 3 monthly

If you have an Asda locally try them for glasses as the thinning is free.

One thing they might be looking for with the astigmatism is keratoconus? I think it’s very rare in young children though. If it is that then a small op can help prevent progression. A friend’s young teen son had the op and they did both eyes together rather than one at a time like adults.

I would recommend using a really good private optician who is properly qualified as an opthalmologist for glasses.
I had a serious problem with one eye and was so panicked that I paid for a private consultation. The doctor missed the real problem with my eye.
Don’t forget that if you pay for a private consultation you also have to pay separately for any tests that are ordered.

I suspect the eye scan was checking for keratoconus as well. It's rare in young children and rare in longsighted people.

If there is no obvious stronger eye, then patching would not help to control a squint.

Ophthalmology is so specialised that until you know the results of the scan there is little point finding someone yet.

At your next appointment be firm, ask

1. What the scan was called.
2. What the scan was looking for, was it keratoconus?
3. Did the scan show that he had keratoconus and if not, what does the consultant believe to be the cause of the increasing amounts of astigmatism.
4. If it is keratoconus would your child be suitable for treatment.

Sit there until you have your answers.

We (optometrists) don't usually see children who are under the hospital eye service regularly.

@mistymorning12 thank you, and thanks to everyone else too.

I will definitely be taking those questions with me. I'd never heard of Keratoconus before and it doesn't sound like something that he would have but it's good to know that there's something they are likely checking for.

Are the private consultants not the NHS consultants on another day of the week? Mine was. I just queue jumped.

@TizerorFizz yes but I’ve only seen the consultant once in three years for his eyes through the NHS. I saw them at the initial appointment and since then all the communication is done via ophthalmologists and optometrists. Which is fine if things are progressing as expected but they’re not and I often see a different person every time, so theres no feeling of anyone overseeing his care. His sight is still lagging where they’d expect it to be at his age even with the glasses and I need to get the school to make allowances for him. it also affects his concentration and motivation.
If I was paying then I would see the consultant and could ask questions/understand what the options and plan was/could be pushier. I don’t think I’d get a better doctor, I’d just get to speak to one.

@Diggersandunicorns Has the consultant not asked to see him again? That sounds a bit odd. Once you get a consultant they usually follow up. So yes, you can get round the system by paying or get another referral. In your position I would do something.

Just found this thread. How did you next appointment go and what where the results of the scan. My son has an astigmatism not as severe (-3.5 and -2.75) and has Keratoconus. He is very mildly shortsighted.

The keratoconus was picked up when he was 17 and he had surgery on both eyes to stabilise it.

We did go private, which speeded everything up.