Optician for a almost 4 year old

DD had the eye test at the MCHN the other week and although she technically passed - she only just did and given both DH and I were short sighted (had laser surgery so no longer) and wore glasses from about age 6/7 the MCHN said might be worth getting her checked at an optician. The MCHN seemed to suggest any optician would be fine, but I asked in one on highstreet (do you say that here or is that my UK ness coming out :-)) and they said only from about 4.5 or when they can recognize the letters. DD does recognize some letters but I wouldn't trust that for an eye test, as just as likely she is just getting them wrong as not seeing them at the moment.

So can you go to any optician? the guy in the store said would need to go to the hospital! Anyone any recommendations in Camberwell/Hawthorn/Richmond area?

DS1 did not pass his MIST test at MCHN either and I took him to a Spec savers, he we think passed to best of the persons ability but did suggest waiting a year and trying again (he was 3 and 1/2 at the time so should do again). DS1 however still mixes up colours, letters and shapes at times so not sure how good a result we would get.

That is a silly explanation from that Optician who I assume is the person that makes and sells the glasses and does not do the eye testing. You are looking for an Optometrist and anyone of them should be able to do an accurate as possible eyetest on a 4yr old.

It is not just letter recognisation, it also shapes and colours and all sorts of ways to check the eyes. Not to mention having a look in the eye as well.

Most Specsavers have good Optometrists. Burke Rd has a couple of Optometrist practices which would definitely be able to do an accurate and thorough eye test on your DD. Your DD is a smart cookie, she will be fine.

Was it High Street or High Street Rd :lol:

Go and see a paediatric opthmologist. Not and optometrist.

Eleanor's opthamologist is Dr J oanne D ondey at G len I ris Eye Specialists - it's actually just off corner of Warrigal Road and Burwood Hwy. I would highly recommend going to see her - she was brilliant. You'll need a referral.

This also might be helpful
http://www.rch.org.au/ophthal/alternative_providers/

We have been to an opthamologist for my DD who is 3 and they have a special chart with animals on it instead of letters and our local GP has one with shapes on it, we're in QLD. I would assume that lots of optometrists would have a similar kind of thing. Maybe give a couple in your area a call to find out if they cater for kids if nobody else has a recommendation in your area

Cheers for all the answers and recommendations. We had seen a pediatric ophthalmologist for DS and she had said when I asked about DD just to get her checked at a normal place too unless there was an issue that needed further investigation - so will go that route as the check is just a precaution really - I figure is good to find out somewhere good now as due to our family history I want to keep a close eye on it so will need regular checks.

I have two boys with glasses from a young age and the second was tested at 18 mths. The optometrist put some drops in so she could get a good look, so they don't have to be able to verbalize what they can see. She used the drops until he was able to answer her verbally. Perhaps you could ask around to see if this service is offered at opticians near you? I'd say its done at most places.

We saw an ophthalmologist for issues that may have required more intervention than just glasses. We then moved on to our ordinary family optometrist from three years old. He didnt need to read the chart, just stare at the happy smiley face, he was able to sit still and listen to her instruction and she was able to look into his eyes and get a good look. There is an issue there and we will go back yearly until school and then six monthly. I can't help on recommendations for your area just thought I would offer another opinion.

the paed opthamologist said by this age, there is no need to see them directly unless a regular optometrist believes there is a problem. DD has astigmatisms and is mildly short sighted, but is being monitored by the local optometrist.

to see the paed opthamologist you will likely need to see an optometrist and then wait weeks (months) for an appointment. just go in to a local opsm or similar and ask for an appointment with the optometrist - they'll let you know from there if there is further investigation needed

and they don't need to be able to recognise letters - E is tested with pictures of animals (duck fish cat, dog) and once a bit older, it will be direction of a set letter (left right up down), followed by numbers

i've had glasses since i was a bub (less than a year old) - i was monitored by a local optometrist and seen the paed opthamologist when he said i needed my glasses changed.

We see a pead opthamologist too she diagnosed dd at 3 with a turn in her eye and long sighted and beacause we were already seeing her she checked ds at 18mths and he has glasses too. You don't have to wait until they can recognize letters, if we had waited that long dd would most likely have needed surgery. Dd used shapes to be tested, and with ds she used stickers on her nose and just followed his sight and reactions. If you are concerned ask for a referal, ours isn't cheap but has been fantastic when the mchn said dd was fine. We didn't have to see an optometrist first we just got a referal from our gp we didn't wait too long as she puts aside times for new patients.

We saw a great paediatric optometrist who is at the Travel Clinic on Glen Eira rd in Caulfield. She say DS when he was about 1.5, and again at 3.5 or so. He couldn't read either time. She also did visual processing, along with the basics. Her name is Raschelle Cowen.

We were very happy with her. She has a great bedside manner with kids.

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the paed opthamologist said by this age, there is no need to see them directly unless a regular optometrist believes there is a problem. DD has astigmatisms and is mildly short sighted, but is being monitored by the local optometrist.

to see the paed opthamologist you will likely need to see an optometrist and then wait weeks (months) for an appointment.

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Yes that is what I had been told so was so surprised when Specsavers told me otherwise. I know with DS we had a long wait for the paed opthamologist because it was non-urgent (there was nothing wrong at all in the end) this would also be non-urgent she passed the test but given is so long before would be routinely tested in school the MCHN thought was worth testing again.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I didn't have a long wait to see ours.. a few weeks maybe?

You can google her, she is a developmental optometrist I believe?

Howell, Croucher and Associates in Heathmont are great. Developmental Optometrists as well.

We see Wendy Marshman in Malvern so in the area you are looking.

Pezzimetti optometrists are wonderful with kids ( my ds goes). They are in glenferrie Rd hawthrn. If you need opt amplifier they'll refer - and would depend on the suspected issue