Things have been so difficult with my five year old son Isaac.  It’s been an adventure that’s for sure.  Mostly because I have no idea what I am doing! I read books, I take advice, I look for answers.  In most cases this does not work.  I end up feeling like a failure by the end of the day.

So recently I took Isaac to his five year physical exam.  This is a new pediatrician for us, and I figured I would ask as many questions and make sure the doctor gets to know Isaac to help me figure out…Well anything that could help me to be honest.

First he examined his height and weight.  All normal. Then the vision screening.  Uh….A little abnormal.  Let’s send him to a specialist.

Finally I had answers.

So maybe some of his behavioral issues are linked to his vision?? That Makes sense complete sense to me.

He would get frustrated and would give up and completely stop trying in school.

Maybe he couldn’t see clear….Then it hit me…How could I have missed the signs?

How could I not notice when my five year old needed glasses? How did I miss this?

Again I felt like I failed him.

Here are some tips on what to look for in case you are unsure.  I know that I wouldn’t have expected him to need glasses so early on, but hey whatever necessary to help him.

 

1. Watch your child’s posture when writing

Isaac would slouch and lean into the paper when writing.  Even while tracing letters and numbers, he still would not stay on the lines.  It was slightly off, however this was due to his blurred vision.

2. Number confusion

Isaac would often mix up numbers.  For example, A 6 looked like an 8 to him,  this was only from a distance once he was up close he would see them fine.

3. Frustrations and tantrums.

Imagine not being able to see things clearly, and lack the ability to communicate that to your mom or dad? That’s where Isaac was. He would act out in class and wouldn’t make much effort to do his work.  It was too frustrating for him.

4. Communicate all concerns with the doctor.

Sometimes we forget to ask specific questions or we think it’s a “dumb” question.  When it comes to your child there is no such thing.  It’s important to get answers and to be on the same page with your pediatrician or any specialists.  Ask as many questions as you want.

 

The appointment with the optometrist was finally scheduled, and Isaac wasn’t cooperating very well at all.  Luckily she was able to see into one eye clearly without him squirming.  She noticed he had a slight astigmatism.  She checked to make sure there wasn’t any issues with color blindness, and that was it.

He then was referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist.  This is where he would need a more thorough exam.  Meaning they would dilate his pupils to determine the length of the astigmatism.

I was starting to feel better knowing that this could be the answer to the behavioral issues with him.  He still wasn’t doing well in school, he was fighting me to do his work, but we had good days and bad days.
The day had arrived where we would find out for sure if he needs glasses.  The appointment took a total of one hour.  They did a vision screening, and then sprinkled some drops in his eyes.  I had to hold him down he did not like that at all.  Luckily they got it in and were able to see what was going on.  So he in fact has an astigmatism in both eyes, and his vision is 20/30.  Doctor prescribed his glasses and we ordered them immediately.

It took a week to get his glasses.  I ordered fisher price glasses, as these are very “kid friendly”. As soon as I got home I had him practice tracing his name with the glasses…. And WOW! What a difference!  I couldn’t believe it.

I was so relieved that we got an answer and now he is on his way to learning new things.  I was so proud of him because I knew that he understood the work he just needed some extra help to see clearer.

Thanks for stopping by and remember to keeping sharing my posts and blog so together we can strive for mommy success!

 

XOXO,

Reina