All About Kids' Eye-sight

[MotherHen]

hquek:

I'm thinking of trying out the atropine drops. Where can one go to get it? any GP will dispense? or should I go to SNEC?

My DD was on atropine for 2 years. During the 2 years, her myopia and astigmatism stabilized (in fact, myopia improved).

From what I understand, atropine is most effective during the child's growth spurt (as that is when the eyeball grows the most as well). The con of atropine is that DD became sensitive to light, so for 2 years, she wore progressive + transition lens.

You have to go to an ophthalmologist, not a GP, for the atropine. In my case, DD went to Eagle Eye Centre.

[hquek]

Thanks Motherhen. Point taken, I will have to bring him to see a specialist. Where eyes are concerned, the safer the better.

[Coolkidsrock2]

There are potential/possible side effects to atropine drops. You may wish to obtain a second or third opinion before making a decision.

[cherrygal]

-deleted-

[JohnYeo]

Hi, Im just wondering when is a good time to have the eye sight of our kids checked? Miy spec is about 800 degrees for both eyes and I started wearing spec since P1 (100 degree.) so now i very worried for my 2 DDs who are 3 y.o and 9 month old...Thanks in advance


John

[cherrygal]

You can look out for signs - frequent and forceful blinking, constant rubbing, face near to book, squints (due to inability to focus properly), keep knocking into things etc - before sending them for check-ups.


Most kids have their first check in K2 when they can verbalise the eye chart, then every year in primary school. Your kids are too young to visit normal optical shops so these toddlers need to visit the eye specialist where they will put eye drops to dilate the eyes (quite uncomfortable) to perform a refractive check. This is 99% accurate. Specialist fees apply so most parents only resort to this when they notice something wrong in their toddlers.

There are also "paediatric optometrists" around but they too charge about $100 for a check-up. These checks are not very accurate and would usually require you to visit the eye specialist anyway. So as someone who wasted money on such stuff, I would advise you to just go to an eye specialist directly if you think your toddlers need the check-up.

[JohnYeo]

cherrygal:

You can look out for signs - frequent and forceful blinking, constant rubbing, face near to book, squints (due to inability to focus properly), keep knocking into things etc - before sending them for check-ups.


Most kids have their first check in K2 when they can verbalise the eye chart, then every year in primary school. Your kids are too young to visit normal optical shops so these toddlers need to visit the eye specialist where they will put eye drops to dilate the eyes (quite uncomfortable) to perform a refractive check. This is 99% accurate. Specialist fees apply so most parents only resort to this when they notice something wrong in their toddlers.

There are also \"paediatric optometrists\" around but they too charge about $100 for a check-up. These checks are not very accurate and would usually require you to visit the eye specialist anyway. So as someone who wasted money on such stuff, I would advise you to just go to an eye specialist directly if you think your toddlers need the check-up.

Thanks cherrygal for the great sharing...really useful stuff here...i guess for parents like me who wear super thick glasses are always worrying if our children will be like us...sigh

John

[sweetbaby]

Any recommendations for eye specialist? Ds has some troubles with his eyes, he’s constantly wetting his hands with saliva and rubbing his eyes. The docs checked his eyes said no clear problems and just prescribed eyemo. Not helping much. Thank you.

[cherrygal]

JohnYeo:

Thanks cherrygal for the great sharing...really useful stuff here...i guess for parents like me who wear super thick glasses are always worrying if our children will be like us...sigh


John

No worries. I totally understand as my eyes are like yours. I don't worry they will end up like me but pray instead that their eyes will not be as bad as mine. With new medicines like Atropine, at least there is hope that we can control the progression should they be afflicted with myopia.

[cherrygal]

sweetbaby:

Any recommendations for eye specialist? Ds has some troubles with his eyes, he's constantly wetting his hands with saliva and rubbing his eyes. The docs checked his eyes said no clear problems and just prescribed eyemo. Not helping much. Thank you.

Erm, are you more worried about the saliva part or the rubbing eyes part? If he needs eye drops because he has dry eyes, then just buy the Alcon Tears Naturale (preservative-free) from pharmacies instead of Eye Mo.

If his eyes are constantly itchy hence the need to rub, perhaps he requires some allergy eye drops like Patanol. You can see any GP, PD or eye doctor for this. There are many specialists being mentioned in earlier pages of this forum.

If you are worried about the \"habit\" of using his saliva to rub his eyes, then you probably need to monitor him closely and remind him to stop that action. Saliva has lots of bacteria and if you put that in the eyes, the eyelids could develop chalazions (styes) which will require antibiotic eye drops. Clean his eyes constantly since he has this habit.