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Original poster

eye appointment, is this a standard check for a 3 year old?

21 replies

emily05 · 31/08/2005 09:17

ds recieved an appointment for a orthopist (eye doctor), he has to drops to put in his eyes before the appointment as well.

Do you know is this a standard check? He has just turned 3, so was wondering if all children have this done?

OP posts:
Twiglett · 31/08/2005 09:18

no its not standard, do they have any cause for concern that you have mentioned? or does he maybe have a slight squint?

Twiglett · 31/08/2005 09:18

sorry, it is not standard IME, it may be standard in your area

coppertop · 31/08/2005 09:20

It's not standard in this area either. Ds1's first eye-test was when he started school and involved naming pictures IIRC.

gigglinggoblin · 31/08/2005 09:22

never heard of anyone doing this. you should be informed if it is a nonstandard test. i would ring and ask why you have been referred

swiperfox · 31/08/2005 09:22

As far as I knew it's not standard either....but as twiglett says, could be in your area. Have his eyes been mentioned at all?

Furball · 31/08/2005 09:35

It's not standard in our area either, infact it's up to everybody to sort their own eye test out. It's recommended to have it done just before starting school, unless obviously there is a problem beforehand.

The eye test ds had after we knew he had a problem as he couldn't read with his right eye at the opticians, involved drops beforehand to make the vision hazy, they then shine a light on the back of the retina and whatever the reflection comes back as, that is the prescription. AFAIK all children are long sighted and they have the ability to adjust their eyesight themselves and it doesn't stop doing that until about aged 7.

Original poster
emily05 · 31/08/2005 10:06

well, after all your posts I thought I had better phone them. turnsout because we took ds to the doctors 2 years ago because we thought that he might have a squint (the doctor said no) this appointment is to double check! Apparantly at 3 they are easier to determine for sure!

OP posts:
serenity · 31/08/2005 10:41

Just to add to this, in our area it is normal to have an eye check at this age, but not with drops!

fqueenzebra · 31/08/2005 21:46

In our area it is standard to have an eye test around the age of 3yo if the parents have any history of myopia (spelling?, short-signtedness). It's very strong on both sides of the family (although I'm ok).

My kids missed their appointment, though, and I've never been contacted about another one.

Does anyone think I should chase it up?

SueW · 01/09/2005 06:05

Our DD was taken for her first appointment as 4 or 5, along with me on a routine test. By 7yo she was in glasses - we'd begun to suspect she needed them a month or two before the routine appointment that year.

throckenholt · 01/09/2005 07:33

I am shortsighted, as is my mother, and Dh's father and sister. So we have family tendencies that way. However, no-one has ever suggested our kids should have their eyes tested - my oldest is just over 4. So if it is standard practise then we missed the list.

mumtosomeone · 01/09/2005 07:34

yes normal. its so they can see the back of the eye and examing properly..look spooky dont they?!!!!

mumtosomeone · 01/09/2005 07:35

was it a referal or standard pre school check? Do they do a preschool check?

Kelly1978 · 01/09/2005 07:37

dd had it done, but this was since she had a squint, which resulted in her gettign glasses. (which she promptly broke and refused to wear) The drops make the eye dilate, so it is easier to see inside them.

deegward · 01/09/2005 08:10

Yes normal here at hosp though, ds1 first went when he was 2.5 and had drops for that appt, but that was the last time. He learned to concentrate and keep his eyes open and has never had to have drops again, Now 5.5

tissy · 01/09/2005 08:38

It's certainly normal for a first orthoptist appt at the hospital- dd has had it done when she was referred for her squint. It wouldn't be normal for a pre-school screening check.

Thomcat · 01/09/2005 08:45

Don't know about standard but it's how we've had it done for my DD since she was months old.
The drops enlarge the pupil so they can see into that part of the eye easier and see/tell more about the childs eye.
It makes their eyes more sensitive to bright sunlight for a short time while the pupil is enlarged but it's harmless.

If a child is going to have a squint it will have happened by the time they are about 3, or so I was told?????

My DD is 4 at Xmas and has had about 6 eye tests so far.

Be prepared to hang around for a while, if it's anything like our appts you see 3 seperate people and have to wait inbetween each person so may take a while, plus drops take about half an hour to work. Take snacks, drinks and books/toys just in case.

Orinoco · 01/09/2005 21:33

Message withdrawn

fqueenzebra · 01/09/2005 21:46

This is odd because I was told the test was "like a game" where they look at some flashing lights. Nothing about eye drops...

I think I will chase it up. The health visitor picked it up when giving me standard questions at DS2's 8 month check; we lived in a different area when the other kids were little, where they don't screen (I guess).

chipmonkey · 01/09/2005 21:48

The drops will blur the vision especially if the child is a bit longsighted which most are. It would be worth explaining this to your dd beforehand. They can also take a while to wear off.

chipmonkey · 01/09/2005 21:50

fqueenzebra, it is also usual for the drops to be put in at the clinic, rather than beforehand so may br why it wasn't mentioned.

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