How do you detect children's vision problems? - Eye & Vision Message Board

*SoccerMom* · 12-25-2002, 09:13 PM

Hi everyone~
I have a 3year old daughter that I am worried about her vision. She sits too close to the TV and constantly complains that she cannot see when we repeatedly move her back to the sofa. She will get angry and quit watching if we force her to stay farther away.I have always noticed that her left eye appears to "drift" or to turn at a little different angle but it is not what I have seen with an actual lazy eye. Hers does it when she is looking at the TV or something up close. She appears to be able to see...she can spot planes in the sky before I do.It has been checked with a eye doctor and he thought it was fine. He thought it was just a habit.
I hope you can help. Thanks!

steeplechase3k · 12-25-2002, 10:06 PM

From what you say it sounds like she might have vision problems. When I was really little my parents found out that I had bad eyes when we were at one of those things where you relese helium baloons with your name on them (to see where they end up). I was unable to see the baloons after a little while when most people still could.

I bet there are ways to get eyes checked even at 3 years old. You'd have o go to a good eye doctor, but htye could probably help.

Shaman · 12-25-2002, 10:15 PM

SoccerMom

When you say "eye doctor" do you mean an optometrist or a pediatric ophthamologist? If your daughter has not been to a pediatric ophthamolgist then get a referal from your pediatirician and GO. What you describe sounds to me like accomodative esotropia. That is a turning in of the eye that occurs when someone is trying to focus close up and has to cross their eyes to make up for farsightedness.

Children are often able to "fool" doctors during routine vision screening because they can compensate more easily than adults. If your daughter has not had one, she needs an exam while her eyes are dialated. She is old enough now to have her vision checked properly because she should be able to understand the instructions.

If it is accomadative esotropia the problem may be controled with a proper rx. If there is amblyopia (vision loss) in one eye, then patching may be required.

If you have difficulty locating a pediatric ophthamologist near you, do a search for American Association forPediatric Ophthamolgy and Strabismus (AAPOS for short) and you should be ableto find a list of board certified pediatric opthamologists around the world. It may take a while to get an appointment, but your peace of mind is worth the wait!

Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by Shaman (edited 12-26-2002).]

*SoccerMom* · 12-25-2002, 10:38 PM

Thanks! I thought I was being worried for "nothing". She was seen twice by an optometrist....once when she was really young (maybe about 8 months) I had her checked while there because I worried about the way her eye seemed to not focus right at times. The first time, she had some sort of computer eye exam along with the regular check by the doctor. She also has never had her eyes dilated. She has never seen an opthamolgist but I will work on that immediately. Thanks, Shaman for the insight! I feel so grateful since I have worried about her eye condition for so long. Your description described her symtoms to a T! Thanks again!

Moe C · 12-27-2002, 07:04 AM

Soccer Mom:

Shaman gave you excellent advice. Most young children are naturally farsighted which explains her ability to spot airplanes, but not see the TV clearly. Esotropia which is a form of strabismus can often cause amblyopia, or lazy eye. Correction of amblyopia should be started at as young an age as possible.

Definitely choose a doctor from the list Shaman suggested. They are the best for your daughter's condition. That site has a discussion board which will tell you all you need to know about accomodative esotropia.

Moe