Eye Testing

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

The girls MCHN has suggested it's a good idea to get DD1's eye's tested before she starts 4yr old kinder and school - she says it's not a bad idea to get them tested regularly as they grow especially before milestones such as kinder and school.

So who else has taken their kiddies for eye testing when there is no actual reasoning behind it.

She says DD1's sight seems fine (based on the MCHN test) but it doesn't hurt to have it tested and recorded properly by a professional.

I'm thinking i would get DD1 & 2 done at the same time.

[Doing my best]

I am considering it.. Although I know there are no issues with DD's sight, a few family members (well meaning, but annoying) from both sides have made me doubt that writing backwards and stuff might not just be the age thing. My DD is 5 though and starting prep next year..

So I can see where you are coming from in thinking about it without any real need to..

[Cassius2]

we just got DD1s eyes tested before she starts prep next year. in our case it is because i have shonky eyesight so wanted to make sure that she is AOK.

it's very straightforward and takes about 20-30 minutes.

[Nai]

Yes it is a good idea to get onto it early - the testing these days is easy and not invasive. My best friend found her daughter needed glasses and is thankful she got onto it so early.

[Little Chicken]

I've had DD1's done because of sight issues on both sides. It is very easy and simple to do. I think it is recommended to have your eyesight checked every two years anyway.

[Miss.September]

My MCHN said before school to us too. She said her own kids came up clear in the early MCHN test but both needed reading glasses by the time school came around. Her reasoning was that it's already challenging enough for kids in starting prep and the things they're learning, it would be doubly hard if they had an undiagnosed eyesight issue too.

We have to get our girls checked thanks to my eyes. Nobody can guarantee if what I have is genetic or not so we're erring on the cautious side.

[Nai]

I just had my own eyes tested yesterday and it was a very simple easy process

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Most of my side wear glasses and so do MIL, FIL & SIL...

It's avoid reminder though as while I know the girls have good eyesight it's something worth checking!

[leesha]

Dh has just had laser eye surgery due to poor vision and we had ds1 tested at 2 yrs old and he is due again now, they say every two years. I was amazed even at two how much they could do testing wise. It was easy and he felt very comfortable. We are about to get him retested and dd1 who is now 2.5 tested also!
It's very important if there is family history of eye sight issues.

[briggsy's girl]

As you know, we've had DD monitored from early due to our history - it really is non-invasive, and it's a great idea to know about things early. E has astigmatisms in both eyes - they are not impacting her vision at all at the moment, but we have a baseline measurement so we can monitor it as she grows. it's always a good idea to have a baseline idea of things. DD is due for her next check up with the opto soon (very soon - crap - better make that appointment!) - DH and I get checked annually, and will just slot her in with us in future

[Olive]

I had DD1 tested at OPSM, even though she passed the MCHN check perfectly, she now goes every 12 months with me, will be getting DD2 tested soon.
Don't rely on the MCHN checks, a friends DD passed that but found out mid year through the school nurse check that she has quite a bad eye problem, they had no idea!! She's in prep.

[Trillian]

I've taken my kids to OPSM as well. They are really good and have pictures for them to 'read' off the eye charts instead of letters. It's always a good idea to get their eyes checked before they start school. MCHN's aren't optometrists so I wouldn't rely too much on the results of that test. But there is probably nothing wrong with her eyesight, but having a proper test would be better.

[Traveller]

I have the kids tested annually, starting from before they start prep. DS2 does have glasses for long sightedness which would have been unlikely to have been picked up by the standard school nurse/MCHN so I'm glad I had him tested. The kids enjoy going and have fun choosing glasses incase they need them too and it's only a quick test.

[~clover~]

I will never rely on MCHN/basic testing again.

I needed to get DD2 rechecked & it was done on Tuesday. As an after thought I booked in DD1 & DS as well. Walked out with DD2 having better than 20/20 vision, DS was fine, but DD1 wasn't. We are now waiting on glasses for her.

DD1 has astigmastism. Her eye's are slightly oval shaped or something. She can get by without, but misses finer details, so may be missing smaller things on the board. And I'm glad we found out before she started driving etc.

I had no idea. I've never questioned her sight. But now I feel really guilty that all this time there may've been so many things she missed.

Its not something that developed over time. Not something that will get better or worse, but something that even she didn't know she had, because its always been her normal vision.

DD2 was given glasses 18 months ago temporarily for long sightedness. DD1 started complaining them, but I honestly thought it was jelousy & attention seeking. She is that kind of child. Now I'm realising that it started then because it was only then that she realised smething was up.

Mummy guilt is never much fun Mine will be checked every 2 years from now on. DD3 will have one before school.

[briggsy's girl]

astigmatisms are where the lens is shaped more like a football than a soccer ball - they can be very mild and have little to no impact. or they can be severe. they change the way the light enters the eye, so your DD may have had to move her eyes more to get everything (which she would do unconsciously) rather than keeping them still. the glasses will just correct the angle the light enters her eye and reduce the chances of eye fatigue caused by the astigmatisms. a very large number of people have astigmatisms and get by fine without treatment for it - they just may get tired eyes...

2 years is a long time between testing - most optometrists would suggest annual testing if there is anything mildly amiss - especially with glasses. vision can change, and glasses can end up being too weak or strong if not monitored.... i've had glasses since i was 13 months old, and had had annual testing since then. not once has my vision been the same from one year to the next. they are all mild changes, but enough that eye fatigue occurs if i don't get new lenses each year

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Well this was a great reminder for everyone then
Will be booking both of the girls in, not sure if i should drive 40min to where i go or try out the local optometrist here?

[BlackCat]

The health nurse didn't even check ds as he had already been to the optometrist. I took him due to strong family history on my side, and the poor thing is already showing signs at his young age. Not sure how the others will go but will test them also at 3/4, then again before starting school and then once a year at least unless something pops up. Our kids had a 25% chance of not getting my eyes before factoring all that is wrong with them lol. So it just seemed natural to get it all checked through our optometrist who knows all of us.

[briggsy's girl]

Well this was a great reminder for everyone then
Will be booking both of the girls in, not sure if i should drive 40min to where i go or try out the local optometrist here?

if you are happy with yours, stick with them - they will know you, your history, and your comfort with them will help the girls feel at ease

the opto we go to treats me, DH, my folks, mum's sister - it makes it easier because he knows us all.
i've been going to the same opto for about 15 years now, the same clinic since i turned five and could go to "just an opto" - before then i was seeing an opthamologist in Melbourne.