Category Archives: hyperopia (farsighted)

Reader question: kids with very low power presciption glasses

This question just came in from Jen.  Anyone out there in a similar situation?  -Ann Z My daughter was diagnosed at 20 months old and we have been patching since. She was also prescribed glasses a month ago, her prescription is +1.5 ONLY but our doctor says we should give it a shot to seeContinue reading “Reader question: kids with very low power presciption glasses”

Another look at full occlusion, and why we patch with tape instead.

They’re not easy to spot, but if you look closely, you’ll find little ovals of Magic Tape jutting out from just about every surface in our home. Like an infestation of ghostly flat beetles, they peek out from door jams, edges of dressers and bookcases, and the side of our bathroom mirror. You’ll even discoverContinue reading “Another look at full occlusion, and why we patch with tape instead.”

Vision therapy progress: Maybe little efforts are a big deal after all

So, my 26-month-old Stella has been patching for three months, and doing vision therapy for almost two months now. We do 20 minutes (30 or even more if we’re really, really lucky, 10 to 15 if we’re not) of vision therapy exercises at home five days a week, and we go into the office forContinue reading “Vision therapy progress: Maybe little efforts are a big deal after all”

Vision therapy for toddlers… an exercise in patience.

Hello! I’m Amber. Ann recently posted about Stella, my little “fashion visionary.” She honestly does love wearing that “pirate girl” onesie! Stella very recently turned two and, in addition to wearing glasses and patching three hours a day, is two weeks into vision therapy. I’d love to share our vision therapy stories and hear aboutContinue reading “Vision therapy for toddlers… an exercise in patience.”

reader question: farsighted, but eyes turning out

This question came in from Jacqui, who is hoping someone else may have experience with this.  -Ann Z Our daughter Coco is longsighted with  both eyes +4.  Six months ago our specialist advised us that she did not require glasses because she was coping well and would probably require them later in life for readingContinue reading “reader question: farsighted, but eyes turning out”

Your stories: dealing with triplets when one of them wears glasses

This story came in from Jennifer. -Ann Z When I found out Bo has Accommodative Esotropia and would have to wear glasses, I was not concerned about how he would handle it.  I was concerned about how his brother and sister would handle it.  I have Triplets.  When Bo got glasses they were a littleContinue reading “Your stories: dealing with triplets when one of them wears glasses”

I’m Birdi’s Mom.. It’s What I Do.

Well if I’m going to be completely honest, I’m Diane, Amy, Birdi and Frank’s mom. They are each a bit more than two years apart, and I may be one of the older 30-year-olds that I know. Birdi is not my first child to need glasses, but she’s the youngest of the crew so far,Continue reading “I’m Birdi’s Mom.. It’s What I Do.”

Your stories – the girl I call Pumpkin

Melissa who blogs at Ask Miss Mommy, sent in this story of her daughter, Grace.  The story was also published on her blog. – Ann Z This is the story of Pumpkin (aka Grace). My second born, my baby. Kind, calm, happy baby with a fiery will that explodes with force. Grace came into theContinue reading “Your stories – the girl I call Pumpkin”

Your stories – Dagny’s glasses

When my daughter Dagny was five months old she would cross her eyes when she was upset about something. It was a phase that only lasted a few weeks and I was relieved when it stopped. At her one year well-baby checkup her pediatrician asked me if I noticed her right eye turning in. ItContinue reading “Your stories – Dagny’s glasses”

Good news at the eye doctor

Zoe had her regular eye appointment this morning.  I had been looking forward to it for a while because I was anxious to know whether she has developed any binocular vision.  Zoe was looking forward to it because she knows the eye doctor doesn’t give shots.  She had been asking about the shots in particularContinue reading “Good news at the eye doctor”

when are children prescribed glasses

I recently got a question about when a doctor might not prescribe glasses for a child, even if the child was nearsighted or farsighted.  I did some research and found consensus guidelines for prescribing glasses published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Pediatric Eye Evaluations: Screening and Comprehensive Ophthalmic Evaluation, 2007, link to full text).Continue reading “when are children prescribed glasses”

Reader question: glasses and physical activity classes

I just got this question from Jenny.  Her daughter is almost 4 and has just (this weekend) gotten glasses for strabismus, amblyopia, and farsightedness.  She’s wondering whether her daughter should wear her glasses in her gymnastics and skating classes.  She was also thinking of signing her up for skiing class this winter, but is hesitantContinue reading “Reader question: glasses and physical activity classes”

Reader question: experiences with contact lenses/implants?

This second question came from Barb K in a comment.  -Ann Z We have a lovely 4 years old daughter  who – unfortunately like her parents –  is extremely farsighted. Her eyeglasses are +20.00 and even when she wears them she has very poor vision. I s there a chance, however, that she can  growContinue reading “Reader question: experiences with contact lenses/implants?”

Prevalence of refractive errors in young children: The Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease study

I finally got around to reading the full article published in Ophthalmology on the Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease study (link to the abstract, link to a press release). The study looked at nearly 2300 children ages 6 months to 5 years old. The researchers examined the children and recorded the refractive error and astigmatism toContinue reading “Prevalence of refractive errors in young children: The Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease study”