Opinion needed if you have DC with glasses

[Beach Mom]

Here's the situation. My DD and one of my boys both are near sighted. It was bound to happen as I have worn glasses since I was 6 and DH is near sighted as well. I feel bad about it, but that guilt is for another thread.:glare:

 

My DS has had glasses for 3 years and has had 3 different prescriptions. Every 6 months he goes to the opthamologist, has his eyes dilated, has a complete exam, and if needed gets a new prescription. It has been about 6 months and I know his eyes have changed and he needs to glasses. The question is, do I really need to take him to the opthamologist, or can I take him to the optometrist I go to who is more convenient, cheaper and really nice?

 

I don't want to compromise the boy's health; if there is a good reason to continue to go to the opthamologist I want to do that. DS has no lazy eyes, astigmatism, or anything else unusual - he is just very near sighted.

 

Opinions or experience to share would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Jean in Newcastle]

I would go to the optometrist.

[iammommy]

I would go to the optometrist, as long as he/she still does a thorough exam. We just went o the optometrist with ds, 11, this week and he did a very thorough exam.

 

Nan

[Orthodox6]

Before switching, I would meet with the ophthalmologist and ask her (or his) opinion on why the prescription is shifting at that unusually fast rate. (This seems unusually fast, even for a child.)

 

If there is no medical complication suspected, I would obtain referrals (from friends or professional associates) for a good optometrist. The quality range within that profession also is wide, so ask around.

[angela in ohio]

If there are no complications, you could go to the optometrist, if he/she is competent and will send you back to the optho if there are any future problems.

 

I wouldn't be concerned about the prescription chaning every six months. All of my dc go through periods during their growing spurts where they can't make it a year between prescription changes, and so we go twice a year. It is so important for a child who is depending on his or her vision to learn to have a proper prescription.

 

We are a family of five in glasses and four of us in contacts as well. I pretty much live at the eye dr. office. :)

[KatieJ]

Just a thought here..I switched from an Optometrist to an Ophthalmologist several years ago because I am being monitored for Glaucoma.

I then found out that our regular health insurance will pay for the eye exam. They will not cover the refractory part of the exam, but they will pay for the medical part. After my co-pay and my part of the refractory, which is another 25.00 I think, insurance covers the rest. They told me it was because they do a "medical" exam.

[Ottakee]

We do the opthamologist once a year but my girls have a herediatary optic neuropathy (thankfully asymptomatic at this point). Then if we need something in between we use the optometrist.

 

Our health insurance pays for the opthamologist once a year.

[Chris in VA]

We go to the optometrist and it's just fine for us. I grew up going to the opthamologist, tho, so it took me a while to feel ok with it. My dd's glasses change about every 6 months, too--all my kids are in glasses or contacts, as am I and dh.

I've heard nearsightedness is NOT hereditary. So no more guilt! lol

[RoughCollie]

I would go to the optometrist.

 

:iagree:

 

All of my boys wear glasses, but the only one we take to an ophthalmologist is the one who has retinopathy caused by prematurity.

 

If health insurance covers an ophthalmology exam, but not a visit to an optometrist, then I would go to an ophthalmologist.

Edited May 15, 2010 by RoughCollie

[stripe]

I've never even been to an ophthalmologist, myself....

[sheryl]

Here's the situation. My DD and one of my boys both are near sighted. It was bound to happen as I have worn glasses since I was 6 and DH is near sighted as well. I feel bad about it, but that guilt is for another thread.:glare:

 

My DS has had glasses for 3 years and has had 3 different prescriptions. Every 6 months he goes to the opthamologist, has his eyes dilated, has a complete exam, and if needed gets a new prescription. It has been about 6 months and I know his eyes have changed and he needs to glasses. The question is, do I really need to take him to the opthamologist, or can I take him to the optometrist I go to who is more convenient, cheaper and really nice?

 

I don't want to compromise the boy's health; if there is a good reason to continue to go to the opthamologist I want to do that. DS has no lazy eyes, astigmatism, or anything else unusual - he is just very near sighted.

 

Opinions or experience to share would be appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

 

My dd wears glasses. She started wearing them 2 years ago after her 9th b'day and she turns 11 next week.

 

Get the opinion of the M.D. I bet s/he will tell you it's fine to go to the optometrist. If both services are exactly the same why go to the MD, go to the optometrist. My dd has never been to the MD. On her annual visit her ped noticed visual changes upon the routine eye exam as part of the well/annual visit. In fact, an MD was never mentioned. They told us to go to the optometrist....that's the only thing we've done. She had her original prescription. Then last summer's check up revealed a slight deterioration so a new pres for stronger glasses. Her appt. for f/u this year is in 4 weeks, so it will be interesting to find out if she needs another pres for stronger glasses.

 

Now I'm beginning to wonder why her ped never suggested for us to take her to an MD. :confused:

 

HTH. Sheryl <><

[BikeBookBread]

My DD PDG is 6, and has had glasses since her 5th birthday. She has had two prescriptions in that time; insurance covers the exams, but we have to pay for the glasses. She goes to a pediatric ophthalmologist at a major State University clinic, and it was the referral that we got...we were lucky b/c the Dr. is great.

 

That being said, if you know of an independent optometrist, and there is no eye disease involved, just nearsightedness, etc., I would go to an optometrist without worry. I wouldn't, though, go to a optometrist at a Lenscrafters, etc... (nothing against Lenscrafters, but my prescription has been misdiagnosed THREE times at a store such as Lenscrafters...I was in a hurry, and just wanted to get it done fast. I should have been patient...)

[DarlaS]

None of my kids have been to an ophthalmologist. I don't think I have either, and have worn glasses since I was about 7. Our optometrist checks for glaucoma. I trust he would refer me if anything looked amiss that was out of his area of expertise.

[KatieJ]

None of my kids have been to an ophthalmologist. I don't think I have either, and have worn glasses since I was about 7. Our optometrist checks for glaucoma. I trust he would refer me if anything looked amiss that was out of his area of expertise.

 

I made that assumption for years..and eventually I was just not comfortable with my Optometrist. I felt like it was all about the money for him. He was a very good Optometrist tho! He put our youngest son in Gas Perm contacs that were awesome. The new Optho guy can't seem to get it right after 3 tries!

[wapiti]

A few years ago, we saw a pediatric opthamologist who came right out and told us to go see the optometrist next time (who was in the same office) lest we bother him with our boring checkup, where nothing was wrong, while he had patients with serious issues waiting. (This was the same guy that missed dd's eye tracking issue, but that's another story.)

[Chris in VA]

Just wanted to add that you should always remember that prices for eyeglasses are not fixed--tell them the best deal you have found and ask them to match it. My dd's glasses were going to be 150 bucks--I told them about a $49 deal at another store, and they matched it. You should never pay over $99 for standard kids' glasses.

Mine cost around $450--that's insane. I told them I'd have to go elsewhere, and they got the price down to $112 or so--that's bifocals with the lightest lenses and that coating stuff.

[Rhonda in TX]

I've worn glasses since 3rd grade and have never been to an opthamologist. I don't see the point in going to one for simple vision problems.

 

I will agree with another poster that changes in prescription every 6 months does seem like a lot for a child.

[DarlaS]

I've worn glasses since 3rd grade and have never been to an opthamologist. I don't see the point in going to one for simple vision problems.

 

I will agree with another poster that changes in prescription every 6 months does seem like a lot for a child.

 

I think it's a lot if it happens more than once or twice (allowing for growth spurts). It has happened to my dd right when she got her first pair.

Now her prescription changes have slowed way down.

 

I suspect my newest glasses wearer will need a check-up this fall as well. I need to take him in for a quick visit rather soon actually. He plays with his glasses nonstop and it drives me batty. I need to make sure they're actually not bothering him. He seems to be having a harder time getting used to wearing them than the other kids did (All four of my kids are nearsighted--just like mom & dad.).

[asta]

My ophthalmologist diagnosed my epilepsy based off of how I was feeling on the medicines I was taking, my medical history, and "something he saw that just wasn't quite right, but couldn't put a finger on".

 

This was 2 years before any neurologist did so.

 

I've seen a couple of great optometrists - don't get me wrong - but my money is on ophthalmologists. Like my the one I had from 0-25 told me: "I went to med school - in a pinch, I know how to deliver a baby. Optometrists aren't trained to do that." ;)

 

 

a

[stripe]

I've seen a couple of great optometrists - don't get me wrong - but my money is on ophthalmologists. Like my the one I had from 0-25 told me: "I went to med school - in a pinch, I know how to deliver a baby. Optometrists aren't trained to do that." ;)

Right. I don't think I'd schedule my prenatal care with an Ophthalmologist, though. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors, with specialized training in eye surgery.

 

I think optometrists are fine for regular eye problems and those with good general health. Those with other health problems (including, say, diabetes) may well be better off with a specialist. You may also have to wait months for an appointment and it may be unnecessary, whereas an optometrist usually has a more open schedule. That shouldn't reflect poorly on their expertise.

[Audrey]

I've worn glasses since 3rd grade and have never been to an opthamologist. I don't see the point in going to one for simple vision problems.

 

I will agree with another poster that changes in prescription every 6 months does seem like a lot for a child.

 

 

Not really. Children's eyes change differently because they are still growing. A growth spurt can trigger eye changes, and it is not unusual for a child's prescription to change every 6 months or so.

 

Here is a little video explaining frequency of children's eye exams and why.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4400352_how-often-do-children-need.html

 

ETA: To the OP, I would go to the optometrist you trust for yourself already. I think it is important to find a good opto you trust. Ask him/her your questions about your child's changing eyes. A good opto knows when to refer you to an opthamologist if needed.

Edited May 16, 2010 by Audrey

[littlebug42]

I require monitoring by an ophthalmologist but my kids do not. I take them to an optometrist who by the way, dilates their eyes and does everything the ophthalmologist does in an exam except it is much cheaper for us to see him. I see him as well and he knows about my retina issues and helps me monitor them so I can get my bootie to the opthalmologist as soon as possible if necessary.

[JenneinCA]

I was sent to an ophthalmologist because of optical migraines. My MD wanted to make sure it wasn't a eye ball problem, it wasn't.

 

I went back to the ophthalmologist when I stood up under a cabinet door and gave myself an optical torsion, I pulled on the optic nerve and had flashes in my vision. But... now that the migraines have stopped (Yippee!) and the torsion has healed (Double yippeee!) I am done with him and can go to the optometrist.

 

My husband and the kids have only been to the optometrist, they don't have migraines or stand up underneath cabinet doors.

[RanchGirl]

I would go to the optometrist for the every 6 months but probably schedule a checkup with the opthalmologist every few years or anytime you see anything that really concerns you. I also don't have the dilation very often, although some optometrists will do it for you if there is a reason your son needs it.

 

another money saving hint...my son is also changing Rxs often right now because his eyes are still improving from vision therapy he did last year. I started ordering his glasses at zenni optical online and we are very happy with them, under $30 including the upgraded plastic lens, versus about $300 through the optometrist's office. BUT, I would only do this if your child is old enough to tell you that the glasses are working, or have him test them in the optometrist's office at his next appointment if you can work that out, just because I like to know for sure that they were made correctly...I think mistakes can be happen wherever the glasses are made.

[RanchGirl]

I was sent to an ophthalmologist because of optical migraines. My MD wanted to make sure it wasn't a eye ball problem, it wasn't.

 

I went back to the ophthalmologist when I stood up under a cabinet door and gave myself an optical torsion, I pulled on the optic nerve and had flashes in my vision. But... now that the migraines have stopped (Yippee!) and the torsion has healed (Double yippeee!) I am done with him and can go to the optometrist.

 

My husband and the kids have only been to the optometrist, they don't have migraines or stand up underneath cabinet doors.

 

youch, you poor thing!!! I'm very glad that you were able to get that resolved!