4 year old eye test

[Northernsoul90]

Hi, just looking for opinions really. DH took DD (4) for her first eye test today at Specsavers. I booked it mainly because she starts school next Sep and has never had one before... she's never complained of not being able to see things and we haven't noticed anything with her eyes.

DH came home and apparently she needs glasses for distance. This is the prescription (attached pic). Would it be worthwhile getting a second opinion before getting glasses? Apparently she just struggled with the very small pictures. I fully accept she may in fact need glasses btw the prescription seems quite mild if I'm right? They also said she may grow out of it?

image is currently under review the prescription is -0.50 in both eyes

That's very mild, I wouldn't bother getting a 4-year-old glasses for that. She may well get a sight test in reception anyway - that's how we discovered that my daughter has terrible vision (-10.5 in one eye, -2.5 in the other), which was a horrible shock and made me feel like the worst parent in the world for not realising...

Just to add, my prescription is +0.75 in one and +0.5 in the other. I almost never wear my glasses, maybe if I am driving at night (and that's more for the glare reduction), or at the theatre so I can see expressions more clearly!

Thank you! Yes I'm inclined to wait and just monitor really, I think they do get tested at school as standard in reception.

I got contact lenses for driving when I was 18 with a prescription of -0.50 in both eyes. Personally I wouldn’t ignore a prescription whether it’s medication or glasses, also it’s rubbish not being able to see. You don’t realise until it’s corrected but how lovely for her not to be squinting at the board!

@Btowngirl Yes I wear glasses/contacts myself and need them full time not just for distance, but she's never complained of not being able to see, doesn't squint at the TV etc which is why I was wondering whether or not to seek a second opinion. I'm not particularly bothered either way, if she needs glasses she needs them. I do think it's quite hard to accurately assess a four year old too.

In reception it’s a screening not a full eye test. All children need to full eye test before starting school.

OP I would ring Specsavers and ask if the person who did the test can call you back to discuss the results.

When I've taken children this age to Specsavers for an eye test they have made it clear that their testing methods are not as reliable as they are for adults. If you go to the GP with vision concerns for a child of this age they will send you to hospital so they can be more thoroughly assessed. On that basis I would wait until August and re-test then (you'll have to pay for it, but it's worth testing before they go to school and you can see if there have been any changes between now and then).

I'd speak to the optician about this to clarify, we were told dd had a small prescription but wearing glasses could help prevent it deteriorating. Dd is now 17 and its only deteriorated by .25 not sure what it would be if she hadn't warn glasses. Obviously it may be different for your daughter but worth asking the questions. Also its often much easier to get a 4 year old to wear glasses than a teenager.

Thanks all, I'll give them a ring to discuss!