Fear of sunlight!

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Hi there MNetters,

My son is nearly 8 and has very severe ASD and has very poor vision in one eye. He is absolutely terrified of bright light and whilst the rest of humanity is enjoying the sunshine, my poor boy is shaking with fear. I had to practically manhandle him on to his taxi this morning and I don't know what to do. He has a very specialised vision prescription and he has only had his glasses since December so I'm not sure where I can get prescription sunglasses from (or if he would consent to wearing them!) but I really don't know what to do.

His school are amazing but after a really difficult Easter holiday (have twin toddlers as well) I am at my wits end with the sunlight phobia. If anyone has any advice at all I would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

PS sorry for any typos, I'm on my phone...

varifocals? not sure if I have made that up but the lenses that go darker automatically in the sun?

You can get reactions lenses, but they are £££ to pay for. Or prescription sunglasses - I know Boots do them.

I have had to buy 2yo DS3 sunglasses because of how much he hates sunlight near his eyes. He's too young to get his eyes tested though because of his Speech issues, and lack of eye contact...

Hi just a quick one for Couthy. My son was the same at two (still can't do eye tests verbally). They can test eyes at the hospital even without speech or eye contact. Worth asking GP for a referral. For my son they put drops in and had a look and issued his prescription. They can even test babies eyes so speech is not an issue. Re the original post any optician should be able to help you make up prescription sunglasses. My son uses miraflex glasses as they are virtually indestructible and he could have them in a yellow frame. I'm going to try and get sunglasses made with them too as he is very sensitive to sunlight. miraflex.info/ is the link to the US site. Various opticians here in the UK can order them in.

Thank you for your suggestions. He doesn't have much language so he also has sight tests at the hospital (eye drops are a bit of a drama but a necessary evil!) but we don't have another appointment for ages so I don't know how to go about getting another copy of his prescription in order to get some new glasses. He is obsessed with his current frames so I'm also not sure if he would allow me to get him the colour change lens thingies!

A hat is a good idea, although he has quite a large head so I can't find any character ones (eg the ones he would actually wear) to fit his head. If anyone knows of anywhere I would be very grateful if you would point me in the right direction!

lenses that change colour are transition lenses, if the eye condition your ds has makes him photophobic then you may be able to get them on the nhs, my dd3 does. You could try ringing the consultants secretary at the eye unit and asking them to do you another prescription. Otherwise the place you got his current glasses from should have a copy of the last prescription issued.

couthy, another vote for the eye unit at the hospital if you think there's a vision issue