toddler vision problems

heybabe

So I've noticed DS1 (almost 3) closes one eye when he points to something far away.  He doesn't squint when you tell him to look at something near or far away, but he'll close one eye (like you would if you were aiming with your finger) when he points.  He's not bumping into things or showing any other obvious sign of vision problems that I've noticed, but I'm not sure about it b/c it's not like he can read vision chart for me (he only knows 5 letters). It would surprise me a little if he is having issues b/c neither DH nor I have any sort of vision problems/wear glasses/etc. I'm concerned, but don't know if I should be concerned enough to make a special appt with pedi to talk about it now or if I should just wait until his 3 yr check-up in early July. Any thoughts on or experiences with small children with vision problems - how did you first know they had a problem?    

molliedb

i would trust your instincts.  a dr visit is usually a pretty low copay, so if you're the least bit concerned i always opt to go to the dr.

 all i know about toddlers and eye issues is pretty unrelated, but i am pretty sure they don't have them read a chart at that age, the dr actually looks in at the eye and how it focuses, etc.  (my husband's family has a history of eye problems with toddlers and my niece wears corrective lenses.  it is a muscle weakness issue and i know my SIL first noticed it whenever her daughter would look down at a book (one eye turns in slightly).)

hopefully someone will more related experience can chime in

 

Emer

DD hasn't done that, but she does like to squint when she is pretending to look at something really far away.  I think she's just playing, though.

But, we did have to go an eye doctor for her because she has a muscle issue in her eye which causes her eyelid to droop when she's tired.  It was a very positive experience and it was not expensive and they were able to give us a lot of feedback.  So, I agree with Mollie about taking him in and having it checked out.  I think they have pictures of animals instead of letters on the eye chart, but I can't remember for sure.

heybabe

Thx for chiming in! I guess I thought maybe he was just playing too, but I don't know who/what he's imitating when he does it. But, yeah, I'd feel bad if I wrote it off as playing around if he does have some issue going on. This is probably insurance specific, but Emer, did you go to/discuss/get a referral from your pedi first? Thanks!

Emer

Our pedi referred us to someone, but she basically told us to go.  She was in Cedar Park and we really liked her, but I can't remember her name!  I'll look it up when I get home, if you'd like.  The office helps kids and adults, but was very focused on kids.  It was on 620, north of 183, I think.