astigmatism Post Reply

[munchme]

hello! My 21 mo old has been diagnosed with an astigmatism in both eyes. I'm hoping to find a referral for an excellent eye specialist. referral would be greatly appreciated. But also any advice if someone has had a similar experience and had their care from St Thomas' and advice on preference for treatment methods at this early age: glasses/ no glasses/ eye muscle training? Thank you very much!!!!

[Lucullus]

Our children both had glasses early. Your GP should be able to get you a referral to an eye specialist. I'd just start there - at the risk of being rude, it sounds like you might be worrying about this a bit much!

More and more children are having sight issues diagnosed early, and that's a good thing - I really wouldn't be concerned about it. Just get your little one along to the specialist for a check up, and they'll probably book you in on a 3 or 6 month cycle to see the the orthoptist, and the consultant.

Might not like glasses initially, so make sure your optician advises on fit and comfort for them. Oh, and be prepared to buy lots - one daughter went through dozens of frames in 3 years! Happy to recommend my optician (Richmond Eye Centre) if you're prepared to come to Richmond for fitting.

[legs11]

I can recommend Graham Thompson

If you're going privately you can see him at Parkside or if NHS he has a clinic at St George's

As for opticians there's nowhere better than Bellmores on Northcote Rd

[Tealover]

I second Bellmore's - they are wonderful. Both mine have astigmatisms and it looks like you have picked it up super early - which is brilliant. I have one that was not picked up until I was 12! Thankfully we seem to check our childrens eyes out much earlier these days!

On the specialist front we have seen John Sloper and Jill Adams both at Moorfields (I think you can see them elsewhere - you would have to check). Both came highly recommended. You can see both privately or on the NHS. Both mine have been discharged from Moorfields now and Miss Adams was happy that Bellmore could treat them going forward (she was familiar with the opticians there)

The treatment depends very much on the astigmatism and prescription. My youngest has been wearing glasses since she turned 3 and there has been a great improvement - optician recommended that she can probably ditch them in six months time.

Don't worry too much. Its hard to get them to adjust initially, but they do get used to wearing glasses fairly quickly.