if the eye drops to dilate a childs pupils didnt work the first three times they have tried, would you attempt it again?

[misdee]

DD3 has eye clinic today. she is due back in three months and they want to possibly dilate her pupils to check her perscription. she doesnt like the drops and the first three times they have attempted these, they havent dilated her eyes at all. last time they tried a double dosage and that didnt work.

what can we reasonably do? our lovely eye nurse (who has seen all my dd's over the years and always asks after dh), has said there are other drops we could use but they need to go in a couple of days before hand, and the effects do last upto a week, so wot be nice at all.

Can the opto-wotsit(cant remember his full title) get a good look at her eyes without any dilation at all? will thius be accurate? he has done all her previous checks and she can actually see now (+9 perscription, very long sighted), but will it be perfect?

yes, they definatly went into her eyes. all three times.

she isnt very squirmy at all.

And myopic solly from reading War and Peace!

solely , typing with baby on lap!

Misdee, would definately try to arrange before you go for dd's next appointment to speak with someone - orthoptist or ophthalmologist - otherwise agree will probably be another failed attempt if the drops went in before.
If you just ask on the day then normally it is too busy to arrange for anyone to speak to you.

Chipmonkey,definately too much reading on my part under the covers with a torch as a child (but not war and peace - not gifted and talented!) responsible for my shortsight and runs in the family unfortunately..

ok thanks. i have a direct line number to speak to them, so will attempt on next clinic day to arrange a call back for a chat.

its been good having different views on this btw, as has given me more to think about.

really dont like the sound of the atrophine drops though, am guessing they arent used often.

Agree with chipmonkey that if you do have the atropine then best for your dd to be at home not nursey as she will be blurred and light sensitive - up to 2 weeks.I can see this isn't actually going to be persuasive to you having dd have them .
Sorry for using the technical cycloplegic refraction but this does just mean testing the eyes with the light (retinoscope) to find out her spectacle prescription with the muscles in her eyes fully relaxed by using the drops.This is called an objective test so doesn't rely at all on your daughter's responses but is pretty standard in cases like your dd's eyesight and gives an accurate result although as chipmonkey says we do in normal vision all use the muscles in our eyes to a certain extent so this should be taken into account.

would rather avoid them if possible, but guess if it has to be done, then wil ldo it. but i will be on here asking for advice at the time (you have been warned lol). am just hoping we get a sept appointment, and not an october one, as i have a baby due early-mid novemeber, and you know they never arrive when they should lol.

what age would be ok for going without drops?

Yes, you do have a lot on at the moment!
Funny enough, I was just putting ds4 to bed and thinking how I can't even decide whether to put my own child on medication because of conflicting info and here I am causing you confusion!

Atropine was used all the time in the olden days! and still have older patients in who remember having them as a child.
As the newer generation drops don't last as long and are not derived from belladonna so less potential for mis- administration they are now used instead.
Atropine would still be used in cases like yours but isn't standard like the other drops certainly.
If I was in your position I would want to speak to at least the head orthoptist or ophthalmologist before.Ring the clinic and ask for the head orthoptist (not just anyone available - they can always ring you back) and ask:

Why haven't the other drops worked and how often does this happen?

Are the other drops they are planning atropine and how often does their clinic use these and what side effects are there?

Why does your dd need the drops if her vision is good and the eyes straight? Would they definately do this if it was their dc?

Basically the questions you have asked us!

You are right all professionals have slightly different views so it isn't always easy from the patient's point of view.

Have enjoyed my discussion but off to bed as work tommorow.
Hope all goes well.Misee,your dd is lovely on her pics BTW .I like children in specs - occupational hazzard.

Misdee does make lovely little girls!

I make nice boys though!