Please tell me this isn’t a brain tumour

[Howimetyourdaddy]

First time poster.

My 8 year old DD has suddenly developed a squint and double vision.

Of course I took her to the opticians as soon as I noticed. Now I’m panicking as they’ve said she needs to be seen urgently at the eye clinic at the hospital and even called today to ask if we’d had an appointment (eye test was last Thursday). No letter or call as of yet!

I’m getting myself all worked up thinking the worst! Even though I have a squint and it can run in families everything I read (I know I shouldn’t google) is making me panic that something is really wrong. Most squints are diagnosed before the age of 5 or 6!

No other symptoms other than occasional headaches.

I’m not sure what I’m asking for and appreciate no one can help with a diagnosis however I need to stay strong for my DD so maybe just a handhold is need.

Thank you 😊

Handholding. I'd ring and chase the eye hospital tomorrow x

Sudden onset squint and double vision should have resulted in an urgent referral to the eye clinic, you should have been seen by now. Did the optician see any other features of concern e.g. re opticians nerve? If you have an eye casualty department near you, I would take her there tomorrow, lots of cities have them e.g. Bristol, moorfields eye hospital in London.

Did they mention any prescription? Or as PP says, anything optic nerve/disc related?

Was the referral to ophthalmology or orthoptics?

As a BT kid mum, all I can say is based on the experience of others in the ward who came from the optician route, it sounds as if you're soon is being treated as urgent but not as an emergency like they were.

But that's just based on 2 kids who were went from opticians to neurosurgery ward same day. If there were strong suspicions of a tumor I suspect you'd be in the hospital already given how quickly things move once suspected.

Saying that, they aren't exactly being slow either, if that makes sense. What is important to remember is (1) it might be something purely visual they are concerned about (2) it might be related to eye pressure which can have many causes which aren't tumour related (3) even if it is a tumour, many are survivable. My sleeping child upstairs is evidence of that.

The fact that you have a squint and it can run in families suggests there is a definite possibility it could be anatomical. There are certainly non tumour related reasons for urgent referrals. I hope she is seen very soon and you get reassuring news.

I'd second the recommendation of the eye A&E if you don't win when you chase up the appointment tomorrow morning. Where are you roughly in the country? I've had an ongoing eye condition for 35 years so I might be able to recommend you nearest/best.

Thank you so much for the replies.

They put drops in DD’s eyes that blurred her vision and brought out the squint. Following that they shone a torch and asked her to follow it. DD said it was uncomfortable when looking up at the torch.

They also did the usual tests. The scans looking at the back of her eyes. Excuse my lack of technical terms! They said they look fine.

I did feel like I had to draw the information out through questions rather than being told. I’m now not sure whether I’m overthinking this or they didn’t want to worry me before being seen at the eye clinic.

I’m in Leicester. I have PMI through work (BUPA) and have been chasing round all day trying to find a consultant but struggling to find the right person. The only consultant I found doesn’t seem to cover BUPA patients.

I think I’ll chase the hospital in the morning and if not then I’ll take DD to eye casualty.

Thank you again. I really appreciate the replies.

ginoclocksomewhere

So sorry I don’t know how to reply to a post!

They gave a prescription for the squint and for slight longsightedness +1.00. This is the only paperwork I have.

Nothing mentioned re optic nerve/ disc related.

Referral was mentioned as ‘eye clinic’ at the hospital however if DD worsens we should take her to eye casualty.

I can understand your anxiety OP and obviously your DD does need to be seen promptly as potential serious causes need to be ruled out - but you can develop these kind of problems at an older age and it just be an "ordinary" squint so don't immediately imagine the worst.
One of my DCs developed a squint, double vision and headaches in their teens and of course I had the same concerns as you do, especially as one of my cousins had a brain tumour as a child. I was extremely worried but actually it turned out that my DC simply had a squint which was surgically repaired and the double vision and headaches got better.
Obviously I can't tell you not to worry or promise you that it isn't serious in your DD's case because she does need to be seen by a doctor with experience in these matters and you're right to take it seriously. But I just wanted to let you know that I understand how you must be feeling and to say that there can be simple explanations for this kind of thing. And as a PP said, remember that even if it is a brain tumour then that doesn't necessarily mean nothing can be done. My cousin is still alive and well many years after her diagnosis.
It's a worrying time but try to keep positive. I hope you get an appointment very soon and that all is well.

Thank you so much. Your words have helped more than you know.

I’m so sorry your DC went through this. I’m sure you were so worried. Great to hear that it wasn’t anything more serious.

After numerous calls yesterday (opticians, BUPA, hospital and doctors) the advice has been the same as many people in that we should take DD to eye A&E.

My DH is there with DD now. I’m keeping everything crossed and hoping we can get some answers today.

Thanks again

Thinking of you Op, I am so sorry it's been such a battle to get her seen

Hope everything is ok. My daughter’s squint was diagnosed at a similar age and was referred on but it was nothing serious. It wasn’t sudden onset though. Fingers crossed.

I think it's a bit reassuring that you have a squint. I understand the fear though. Dd recently was referred for an MRI to see if there was a tumour and the way the doctor worded it was worrying. It turned out OK though, although she needs a spinal op. I hope you get seen and reassured soon

We’ve had reassuring news. It’s nothing serious. I’m so so relieved.

DD has muscle weakness which has ‘brought out the squint’ and resulted in her having double vision.

The hospital were amazing. She saw 5 consultants in the space of 3 hours.

She’ll have a check up in 6-8 weeks.

Thank you again lovely mumsnetters 😊

Great news!

wonderful news. So pleased for you x

Great news, so pleased for you.

So very glad you've had reassuring news.

Oh I am really pleased to hear that.

Yay!

Fabulous news. I’m so glad the hospital were amazing and put your mind at rest. Sleep well tonight. X

Brilliant thanks for updating, hopefully you can get some sleep now!