How Young Is Old Enough for Vision Test for Possible Glasses?

Updated on December 10, 2008
D.P. asks from Carol Stream, IL
7 answers

My 21-month old toddler was recently assessed by early intervention due to speech concerns. One of the things the developmental therapist and I discussed was his vision. He was tested early on for lazy eye but it was only because of the wide bridge between his eyes that his eyes looked crossed. One of the things the doc said at the time was that she noticed a slight astigmatism. I should have asked more questions at the time, but I was just relieved to hear he didn't have lazy eye. I had my vision checked for glasses at approx age 5 (I have an astigmatism as well) -- and I know things have changed -- but the therapist recommended I get my son's eyes checked right away. Even though he is SUPER smart, she said a vision problem can cause problems learning. Does anyone have experience taking a toddler that age to the eye doc for glasses? I just think he's too young -- how can they accurately give him a prescription for glasses when he can't communicate well? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.H.

answers from Chicago on

I have been taking my daughter to see Dr. Kim Curnyn out of Alexian Brothers. Dr. Kim has been wonderful. At the age of 2, I noticed my daughters eye turning in and almost gone into her nose. We worked the glasses till she was 5 and at that age, she had surgery, something with the muscles. She is now 10 years old, has beautiful straight eyes, no glasses and sees 20/25. If you catch things early on, can make a big difference. If we had not done all we had, she possibly would have gone blind in that eye as the brain would have shut it down as it was getting double pictures. Long story short, so to speak, I am now going to take my 5 year old grandson to see her. Good luck to you

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Chicago on

I took my then 1 1/2 to eye Doc for tear duct issue... she also had her eyes checked then and goes regularly now as well as my now 5 year old. They can do wonders. Bernart Eye Clinic in Yorkville, Dr Melissa Sigler ###-###-####.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Chicago on

Definately follow her advice. Dr. Kipp at Wheaton Eye Clinic is fantastic and sees tons of kids that are in Early Intervention your son's age and younger.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Chicago on

We took our DD when she was 2, my brother had glasses and a patch to fix a lazy eye at 2 as well. They have a special test for young kids. Identifying pics instead of letters, like a phone, bike, etc. As long as they consistently call the object the same thing it's accepted, for example my DD kept calling the bike a motorcycle. If early intervention is suggesting it I would look for an eye doc that accepts children as patients. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.S.

answers from Chicago on

He is definitely old enough.. my daughter has been wearing glasses since she was 6 months old. We went in because she had a little bump on her lower eyelid. The little cyst turned out to be nothing but they told me she couldn't see worth a darn. I too didn't believe it.. I guess I probably didn't want to believe it.. both my husband and I have 20/20 vision and I think it was half the vanity thing (look at that poor baby with glasses) and half my inability to comprehend both how they could determine she needed glasses (no babies can really see, right??) and how awful it is for someone who can't see since I can. Once she got older and was able to communicate I could tell that they were correct. If you cover her "good" eye (which isn't that good) and ask her to name the pictures, my little smarty pants would just start guessing what it was knowing what the possible answers were. They would show a truck and she would say "that's a bed." "no that's a dog" "no that's a table" and keep guessing until she got it right. It was obvious that she couldn't see anything. We have to still patch her but I am so glad we caught it early. I would hate to think of her in preschool not being able to see. Or even as a 2 year old not being able to determine the difference between a dog and a table. Take him to a pediatric opthamologist. They will tell you honestly if he needs glasses and if he does, it will only help him in the long run. We go to Dr. Cronin through Elmhurst Hospital at the south location (York & Butterfield). She is great. And the glasses store in the Elmhurst Hospital is great too.. they fix them for free which is key with the younger ones. We know Miss Chris on a first name basis since we were in there so often with her throwing them on the ground in a temper tantrum, leaving them wherever and stepping on them, etc. etc. She knows my daughter's "style" and orders glasses especially for her to try on .. pink and purple with sparkles of course!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Chicago on

Your son is old enough right now....my niece had glasses under the age of 2 because of a lazy eye. If you have insurance (eye) contact them for an eye doctor that does pedatric exams. I actually used Family Eye Care in Oak Lawn due to my daughters tear duct issues but if that is too far maybe call them and get a refferal... as I am typing I think I recall them opening an office in the Joliet area. As with my niece & my daughter they used pictures to do the exam. Good luck!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.D.

answers from Chicago on

My son was seen by a pediatric opthamologist at a little over a year of age because he had some crossing of the eye. They can actually tell quite a bit about a child's vision, even one that young. A PO can see things that may be wrong with a child's eyes even without the ability of that child to communicate what they're seeing. It really was amazing to me. My son ended up having eye muscle surgery at around 1 1/2 after glasses and patching couldn't completely fix the problem. We've been seeing Dr. Michael Kipp out of the Wheaton Eye Clinic and my son has been doing great, both with his vision and learning. It really can make a world of difference. Good luck!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches