any eye specialists about?

[kitbit]

ds is 4 and his teacher said yesterday that she's noticed him squinting in class. He squints at the board (it's a very small room so they're all pretty close to it) and he squints at her when she calls his name and he turns to look at her.
I haven't noticed him doing it at home, and when gently asked he said he could see everything clearly at school and didn't need to sit nearer. I asked if he found he couldn't see clearly if he suddenly looked up (ie changed distance quickly) and he said there wasn't a problem.

She's not noticed it before, and we haven't seen him doing it at home. Does it sound as though he might be short sighted? ...and what do I do about it, doctor? high street optician? paediatrician? sorry for the dim questions, I'm a bit irrationally panicky about it...

Some opticians do deal with children so you could call a couple to find out. DD was referred through the hv but she was only 18 months at the time. Her appointments have all been through the orthoptist at the hospital. Your gp could maybe do a referral too if he/she noticed the squinting.

DD squints and is long sighted - the squinting eye was also 'lazy' as the sight was poorer in it. The sight has been improved by patching the good eye so that the lazy eye worked harder.

i'd go to your gp and see about being referred to a hospital. dd was seen at ours until she was discharged at the age of 6 to a normal optician. hospital is more accurate with children. if he is squinting, they will be able to find out if he needs glasses and/or patching.

we've been through it all with my two, both have squints, dd is severely short sighted and has astigmatism too.

don't panic, it will be fine. if he does need glasses there are lovely ones around now for kids.

Take him for an eye test.

At age 4 a high street optician will be fine.

Ring and ask if they can recommend an optician in the practice who is particularly good with young children.

The optician would be able to check if he needs referral to the hospital eye service and can often speed up the referral if needed.He may just need spectacles or his vision may be fine - try not to worry.

Thanks everyone, I think I'll take him to the GP and see if they can refer us to a child specialist. Trying not to worry, I'm sure all will be fine and yes, there are some fab glasses for kids if that's what he does need!

thanks all

Does he actually have a squint, or is the teacher using the word to mean that he is screwing up his eyes in the way that short sighted people do when they cant quite see something?
I would clarify with the teacher exactly what she meant, and if he doesnt actually have a squint, then I would go to an optician.

Ah, yes, she means he's screwing up his eyes. Sorry, didn't explain that very well. So an optician is best for eye screwing?

I would go to an optician if the concern is shortsightedness rather than a squint.

Squints always need checking out ime.

Righto, maybe we'll start with the optician in that case - getting a GP apptmt and referral will take ages (add spanish beaurocracy on top of usual waiting expectations) whereas we can go to an optician while we're waiting and see what their thoughts are.

Here you can just ring Boots and they will see your child. No referral needed from a GP.

another reason why we're moving back to the UK, but sadly we're not there yet! Here it's just all so flippin complicated.