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Original poster

Eye tests for toddlers

8 replies

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 15/05/2009 13:22

Can anyone tell me how they test a toddler's eyesight? DD (2.7) is booked in for a test on Monday, would like to know what to expect!

TIA

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geekgirl · 15/05/2009 13:29

they'll probably show her pictures of things - animals, house, car etc. and ask her what she can see, at various distances. They might point at a poster of Winnie the Pooh or Bob or whoever on the far side of the wall and ask her who she can see. She will probably also be shown a card with a 3-d type picture on it - if both eyes work well together you can apparently see shapes on there (I can't see them but dd2 always does fine!), she might be asked to 'find the star' on the card...
They will probably do some other stuff too like getting her to look at a little picture stuck to the top of a pen or a lollipop stick to see how her eyes move...
If they want to work out a prescription she will need eye drops to dilate the pupils (not terribly pleasant but not dreadful either) and the orthoptist will look at her eyes using various shaped bits of glass whilst your dd looks at pictures of something.
It's all quick and benign IME. IF she does need the eye drops you will have to wait for 30 minutes for them to work.

Original poster
fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 15/05/2009 13:33

Thanks..she has a problem with refusing eye contact and ignoring questions (under investigation) so I hope they can get some answers out of her!!

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geekgirl · 15/05/2009 13:34

they're usually very experienced as so many children with SN have vision issues - fingers crossed for you x

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fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 15/05/2009 13:38

Thanks

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chickers · 15/05/2009 17:57

My son (3 yrs) has just been to the orthoptist. She was excellent and got him to look at pictures around the room. She gave us all the info about his squint in about 4 mins. All very clever.
I was very impressed. They are used to dealing with kids your little one will be fine

Sooty7 · 15/05/2009 20:49

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PeppermintPatty · 15/05/2009 21:51

DD just had an eye test this week. She's only 23 months but they got her to say what she could see (house, cup, teddy etc). I was suprised they got her to cooperate to be honest - they're obviously v experienced. And they have stickers as bribes as well

Original poster
fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 16/05/2009 08:12

Thanks, that is reassuring..my DD is probably more like a 23 month old when it comes to communicating, although she knows lots of words!!

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