I have a kid vision question.

[cleo29]

If my girls never have to wear glasses it will be a small miracle given everyone in H's family does and my dad and his family did.

Anyway, what are some signs of possible vision issues? Lately C has been knocking things over, holds books close to her face, etc and I just wonder if this is normal toddler stuff or a possible sign that maybe she is not seeing clearly.

[deanlicker78]

Lucas is 5 and just got glasses. I thought he should get his eyes checked because he would always scoot closer to the tv until he was standing right in front of it. Also when I'd read to him he would always have to have his head practically right in front of mine. I don't think he could see the pictures otherwise.

Isabelle (6) just got reading glasses and I noticed that when she'd read, the book would be right in front of her nose.

[cleo29]

That's a good suggestion, Lucy, thank you. She can see things from a pretty good distance, so I know that is ok. H didn't need glasses till he was 12.

[KKD]

I think they start vision checks with a shape chart at their three-year well-visit, or at least I think that's what we did with Em. Now I can't remember if either of them did the eye chart at 2.

Anyway, I worry about my girls too since H and his entire family have terrible, cannot-see-without-glasses vision. My mom wears glasses, my younger sister started wearing them in fourth or fifth grade, and my youngest sister started wearing them in late high school. eta: So far Em has been cleared at her three- or four-year well-visits, though.

I think the things C is doing could go either way, although the book thing could be a sign. If you are really concerned you could probably bring her in to be evaluated earlier, but since it's getting close to her birthday I personally would probably just wait. I am lazy like that though.

[candreco]

At DD's 3-year check up, they did a vision test, and told us that most kids' vision isn't fully matured until around 4-5. DD's was 20/30 at that point, and they said that it should be improved at her 4-year check up. They didn't say anything about near- or farsightedness and if one develops before the other.

[cleo29]

Yeah, I also know she gets a little klutzy when she has a growth spurt, so that could account for the knocking things over.

I will see what happens at her three year visit.

Thanks, everyone!

[WOT?*]

And I would take her to a pediatric optometrist. I took kiddo to a ped specialist when she was three to get her vision checked. She didn't need glasses. Her mom took her to a generalist and surprise! she needed reading glasses. I took her to a different peds specialist when we were given custody last year and nope, she didn't need glasses. The specialists are in agreement and dispute the generalist. (And needless to say, she took Kiddo2 to the generalist who says she needs glasses, when the specialist says she didn't need glasses but needed to do eye exercises to strengthen her focus. Glasses are easier than exercising. Oy.)

[adhdfashion]

I've been wondering the same thing with my oldest M she is 3. I can't tell if she is being quirky little kid or needs glasses. H and I don't wear glasses. But people in our families are practically blind. I'm going to just make her an appointment. LOL I'll make myself crazy otherwise.

[speckledfrog]

Your preschool may be able to do a free screening for you. In TX all preschool screen the kids, although they may not have someone on staff who is trained (they hire out). It's just an informal test and lets you know about what their vision is.

You can also download a chart and try it yourself. If you'd like to that let me know and I'll tell you how to test her.

ETA: the test is technically for 4 and up.

[Deleted]

Pinky's preschool tested her and referred me to a pediatric optometrist. She's worn glasses ever since.

I'd just call her doctor and see if they'll give you a referral to a pediatric optometrist, well if your insurance requires that, I mean.

[evee]

I told my mom when I was 8 that I couldn't see what time it was on the clock in the kitchen. She knew then that I couldn't see well and needed glasses.

[silva]

We just ordered glasses for M. She's excited but I worry the newness will wear out.

When she was just 3 we took her in to the eye doc because we noticed that she was constantly tearing and had red eyes. Anyway, they monitored her since with appointments and just recently her astigmitism reached the point of needing glasses.

I think the book thing is a good indicator for her. Doesn't hurt to call.

best of luck!

[dragonfly08]

Our ped. starts vision checks at the 5 year well visit, using the letter chart if the child knows the alphabet and a shape chart if they don't. But if you have concerns before that - and holding books too close, bumping into things, headaches, etc. would all be worth at least asking the doc, IMO. My 8 year old just had her eyes checked this summer outside of a standard well check because she was complaining of headaches. Turned out she is 20/20 but was experiencing eye strain so we've had to cut back on her reading (she'll do that hours each day if allowed). Good luck!

[textbookcase]

I would definitely get her checked out. It's never too early to at least have them screened. We obviously need to have our kids screened early. Keira's glasses are broken right now and she doesn't have an appointment for a few weeks. We rigged her glasses back together but they are uncomfortable on her so she keeps taking them off. She's doing the same thing - holding books close to her face, getting up close to the computer screen, etc.