Category Archives: in the beginning…

Your stories: “glasses make her the little person she was always meant to be”

I want to share my journey as a parent to any new parents in this group. I was devastated at first when I heard that our beautiful little firecracker needed glasses when she was a little over two. Hearing that she is severely farsighted (hyperopic) was a tough blow – surprisingly tough – even though she did not suffer and the fix was easy. I researched the issue like crazy, obsessed over the diagnosis and worried about what her future entailed as a bespectacled little lady. I need not have worried.

Guest post: Activities to distract, entertain, or encourage patching and new glasses wearers

Distraction can be key to successful introduction to glasses as well as patching.  A huge thanks to Shannon for putting together a fantastic list of activities that are a fun way to distract and entertain kids who need to wear glasses or patches. – Ann Z Activities to distract, entertain, or encourage patching and newContinue reading “Guest post: Activities to distract, entertain, or encourage patching and new glasses wearers”

All those crazy swirling emotions when you find out your child needs glasses

One of the most common things I hear from parents whose child has just gotten glasses is that they’re surprised by the intensity of their emotions, and often they feel bad for feeling bad. I know I was filled with worry and was a bit upset, but more than anything felt guilty for feeling upset. So here’s what I want everyone to know: your feelings are your feelings – they aren’t good or bad or weird, they simply are.

Your stories: Talynn’s story

A very big thank you to Chad and Taylor for sharing their daughter, Talynn’s, story of her journey through her first year of life, and her diagnosis of Bohring-Opitz Syndrome.  You can read more about Talynn’s journey at her blog, Open Eyes, or follow them on facebook or twitter. – Ann Z Talynn Gurganus was born onContinue reading “Your stories: Talynn’s story”

Videos of babies getting glasses for the first time… and seeing!

Need a pick me up?  Videos of babies and young kids getting glasses — and seeing — for the first time always make my day.  So here’s four great videos of those first moments in glasses.  I hope they brighten your day, too! Love this guy’s smile as he checks out his vision through the lenses fromContinue reading “Videos of babies getting glasses for the first time… and seeing!”

Wobbly Wednesday – Your stories: congenital nystagmus

In honor of Wobbly Wednesday, I am very pleased that Laura has offered to share her and her son Samuel’s story of congenital nystagmus.  – Ann From Samuel’s very first check up at the doctors at 8 weeks I knew something wasn’t right. Even though he said everything was fine I couldn’t settle. I askedContinue reading “Wobbly Wednesday – Your stories: congenital nystagmus”

Your stories – the benefits of a second opinion

Many, many thanks to Laura from Oakland Avenue Blog for writing about her experiences with her son getting glasses, and their choice to get a second opinion.  I’ve always recommended a second opinion if you’re ever unsure or just don’t feel like you’ve gotten your questions answered.  – Ann Z About a month and aContinue reading “Your stories – the benefits of a second opinion”

Wonderful video of a baby getting glasses for the first time

I saw this video and just had to share it (with the permission of the parents, of course!).  The baby is 6 months old and has just gotten his first pair of glasses for myopia (nearsightedness / shortsightedness) and astigmatism.  You can watch the moment he starts seeing everything around him – his pacifier fallsContinue reading “Wonderful video of a baby getting glasses for the first time”

Frequently asked question: how will I ever get my child to wear glasses?

The Little Four Eyes facebook group gets quite a few parents who have just learned that their child will need glasses.  Many come to the group with the same question: “How on earth am I ever going to convince my wonderful, but strong-willed child to keep glasses on her face?”  For many of us, theContinue reading “Frequently asked question: how will I ever get my child to wear glasses?”

Guest post for What to Expect

I was recently invited to write a guest post for What to Expect‘s “Word of Mom” blog, and in a move surprising no one, I decided to write about having a young child in glasses.  It was a good exercise: to look back and write up the story of learning the Zoe needed glasses, especiallyContinue reading “Guest post for What to Expect”

Preparing for your child’s first eye exam

Maybe your child failed a vision screening at the pediatrician’s visit and you were given a referral, or maybe you’ve noticed that there seems to be something off about the way he looks at things, or maybe her teacher mentioned that she crosses her eyes, or maybe you’re being proactive and making sure his visionContinue reading “Preparing for your child’s first eye exam”

Survey for families in the UK

Vicky, who runs the facebook group, Kids in Specs UK, has a short survey about support for UK families when they learn their child needs glasses.   It is completely confidential. She wants to use it to highlight to NHS services how important it is to provide parents/carers with some support after a child is prescribedContinue reading “Survey for families in the UK”

Our biggest worries with a child in glasses – and our realities

I got an email from Molly who had a lot of questions about learning that your child needs glasses.  I thought I’d turn to you for some answers. I think I speak for all of us, that our biggest fear when we learn our child needs glasses, is for their vision.  But setting that aside,Continue reading “Our biggest worries with a child in glasses – and our realities”