Photo gallery
Share pictures of your beautiful bespectacled baby (or toddler, or kid). Browse through the pictures to see just how great glasses can look on kids, and that they really don’t hide your child’s beauty (that was one of my fears).
Tyler, 2 years old. Wears glasses for farsightedness.
Ollie, 17 months, on his first day with glasses. He wears glasses for farsightedness, astigmatism, and strabismus.
Ryan, 1 year in this picture. He has bilateral cataracts and had surgery in both eyes at 3 and 4 months old.
Becca, 2 years old, on her first day wearing glasses.
Peyton, 2 years old. She wears glasses for farsightedness and esotropia. Her glasses are Fisher Price Marshmallow from Optometric World.
Eli, 22 months. He wears glasses for farsightedness.
Karly, 16 months. She wears glasses for strabismus. She kept them on for 3 hours the first day and now does not like to have off
Jillian, 15 months. She wears glasses for farsightedness. Her frames are pink PEZ
Nicky, 3 years - wears glasses for farsightedness
Sofie, 18 months - wears glasses for extreme farsightedness
Ellie, 2 1/2 - wears glasses and patches for strabismus and amblyopia.
Conall, 16 months - he wears glasses for farsightedness and esotropia. This was his first time seeing a cat clearly through his glasses!
Penny, 3 months - she wears glasses for bilateral congenital cataracts. She is wearing blue Disney Pooh frames. I've had to add pieces of fabric bandaid on the nose to help give some friction and keep them from sliding down her nose.
Ry, 22 months - wears glasses for esotropia.
Kaylee, 2 years old - on her first day with glasses! She wears glasses for amblyopia, strabismus, and farsightedness, and will be patching 4 hrs / day. Glasses are Disney princess.
Belle, 4 - wears glasses and a patch for amblyopia. She is in Disney Princess Snow White 2 frames and a coordinating “Princess” patch from Patch Pals. Her bear & glasses are from BuildABear.
(You can read more about Belle at Amblyopia Kids.)
Mia, 3 1/2 - wears glasses for strabismus due to farsightedness.
Brooklynn - 3 1/2, she has been wearing glasses since she was 2 for amblyopia and extreme nearsightedness, and patches 8 hours a day. Glasses are Fisher-Price.
Lily, 16 months - wears glasses for extreme farsightedness. Glasses are Fisher Price from Killingly Eye Care in Danielson, CT.
(You can read more about Lilly at Pam-fried Family life.)
Sam, 3 years old - wears glasses for nearsightedness.
Aubrie, 3 years old - she started wearing glasses at 20 months for farsightedness.
Michael and Mariana, 28 months - they both wear glasses for high nearsightedness. Glasses are Fisher Price.
Paris - 14 months, she wears glasses to correct an intermittent squint due to near sightedness. Glasses from Sunshine Coast Australia ,
Peyton, 2 1/2 - wears glasses for Retinopathy of Prematurity.
Anna Camila, 1 year 4 months - she has worn glasses since 1 year due to ametropia. Glasses are from Miraflex.
Maddie - 19 months. She has worn glasses since 7 months to correct strabismus due to farsightedness. Frames are pink Solobambini.
Satya, 2 years old - he wears glasses to correct an intermittent squint (strabismus) due to farsightedness.
Ashlee, 2 years old - wears glasses for farsightedness and strabismus. She got her glasses 2 weeks before turning 2, and so far has gone along with the glasses with no complaining.
Elly, 2 years old - wears glasses for amblyopia.
Mia, 2 years old - wears glasses for extreme farsightedness. Her glasses frames are almost exactly like her mom's
(Read more about Mia and her twin sister here.)
Nathan, 3 1/2 years old - he has worn glasses for farsightedness since just before turning 3 years old.
Mckenna, 16 months - wears glasses for strabismus and farsightedness.
Z, 3 years old - Z has visual impairment due to Cortical Visual Impairment and is farsighted.
Luke, 2 1/2 years old - wears glasses for strabismus, amblyopia, and farsightedness. Glasses are IZOD.
Kaiya, 27 months - wears glasses for farsightedness, and her left eye is worse than her right. She is wearing Pink Disney Glasses with Cable Temple arms.
Maggie, 8 months - she has worn glasses since 6 1/2 months for exotropia in her right eye and near-sightedness (-4) in each eye. She is also the brochure cover girl for her eye doctor!
Jesse, 2 1/2 - was diagnosed with amblyopia and got his glasses a week after his 2nd birthday. They are Disney brand with only a little mouse ears on the piece that sits behind his ear.
Jason - 16 months, he wears glasses for cataracts and strabismus.
Zella - 20 months, she has worn glasses since 7 months for infantile esotropia. These are her second pair of glasses - Fisher Price frames "Ducky" in pink.
Mia Angelina - almost 3 months old - she was diagnosed with a unilateral cataract in her right eye when she was 12 days old. She had surgery at 1 month old and began wearing glasses when she was almost 2 months old. She wears Miraflex glasses.
Braden - 2 - diagnosed with Esotropia in 07, had *successful* surgery in 08!! He is evaluated every 3 months by our PO.
Teagan - 2 1/2. Wears bi-focals for farsightedness. She had strabismus surgery in Aug. 08.
Lyra - 2. She started wearing glasses at 17 months due to farsightedness. Like all kids with albinism, Lyra has multiple eye problems that contribute to her overall low vision. Photo by Rick Guidotti
(Read more about Lyra here.)
Colin - 8 months (his first day in glasses!) These are the Fisher-Price Marshmallow brand. He has severe myopia, amblyopia and a myelinated retinal nerve.
Reid - 18 months, Started wearing glasses at 9 months for farsightedness. These glasses are his third pair (the second broken pair, not his fault). At first he really disliked wearing them but is wearing them longer and longer. The frames were purchased at Advanced Family Eye Care and have a two year warranty (thank goodness).
(Read more about Reid here.)
Bennett - 15 months (11 adjusted), is in glasses due to vision issues related to ROP from his early arrival at 23 weeks gestation. He was born so early that his eyes were still fused shut. He began wearing glasses the at 11 month adjusted/15 months. He HATED them and has broken over 30 pairs of frames and chewed on his lenses. At 3 years old he now loves his glasses and sunglasses (he has light sensitivity) and only breaks them on accident.
(You can read Bennett’s story here)
Audrey - 25 months in this picture, wears glasses for farsightedness. The specs in this photo are Fisher Price. They are gold-toned and have pink around-the-ear temples. (Barbie glasses bought at a local optical shop in Dallas, Texas). In between these, Aud’s had Flexon frames from LensCrafters, one pair of which she snapped in half.
(You can see a more recent photo of Audrey in her 4th pair of glasses here)
Asa - 10 months in this picture, though is now almost 1. He started wearing glasses at 9 months, for strabismus related to farsightedness. To his parents utter surprise and delight, he accepted his spectacles from day one. (Glasses, I believe, are Disney brand, though feature no insignias.)
C - 14 months old; she started wearing glasses at around 7 months for farsightedness and strabismus. Glasses are Miraflex.
(You can read more about C at Motherhood and Potatoes.)
Franklin - 4 years old. Found out he needed glasses at his 3 year old screening. Glasses from Costco.
Zoe - 18 months. She got glasses at 14 months to treat strabismus due to being farsighted. Glasses from the Glasses Menagerie in Minneapolis.
(You can read more about Zoe at the Tragic Optimist.)
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Want to add your child’s picture to our gallery? Leave a comment with a link to the picture and any information you want included (such as age, first name, age he or she got glasses, where the glasses are from, etc), or email me the picture at ann at shinypebble dot com.
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All images in the photo gallery are copyright of the photographer. Use of these photos is strictly prohibited without express written permission of the owner of the photo. Contact Ann, ann @ shinypebble . com, for more information.
I have a link in the header of my blog: http://motherhoodandpotatoes.wordpress.com/
C is 14 months old; she started wearing glasses at around 7 months for farsightedness and strabismus.
The glasses are Miraflex brand with an elastic tie in the back. Miraflex comes in several shapes and sizes. Should be available at any optician’s office. C’s is the rectangular shape.
- Frame is manufactured out of a single piece of malleable material with non-metal components.
- Bridge is anatomically designed.
We’ve been happy with it so far.
By: motherhoodandpotatoes on June 1, 2008
at 8:27 pm
Motherhoodandpotatoes, C is so freakin’ cute in that picture! Thanks for sharing.
By: Ann Z on June 2, 2008
at 2:04 pm
[...] Photo gallery Posted by: Ann Z | June 4, 2008 [...]
By: my new favorite response to the questions « little four eyes on June 4, 2008
at 4:38 pm
Here is Audrey: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sailormouth_2003/93378469/
In this photo, she is 25 months (2 years). This is her first pair of glasses, which she was prescribed for farsightedness. We brought her to the ophthalmologist not because we had any concerns about her vision (her distance vision has always been good) but because her father and I were each in glasses since we were about 15 months old (he for extreme farsightedness, I for extreme nearsightedness and astigmatism). The specs in this photo are Fisher Price. They are gold-toned and have pink around-the-ear temples.
Here’s a more current photo: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/sailormouth_2003/2382014662
This is her fourth pair of glasses (we’ll be getting a new pair next month). These are Barbie glasses bought at a local optical shop in Dallas, Texas.
In between these, Aud’s had Flexon frames from LensCrafters, one pair of which she snapped in half.
By: Erica on June 5, 2008
at 4:56 am
Thanks Erica! It looks like from Audrey’s recent picture that she does Karate. I think that’s awesome! How do her glasses work with that? Does she need to wear a strap to keep her glasses on?
By: Ann Z on June 6, 2008
at 7:21 pm
[...] Photo gallery [...]
By: request for advice « little four eyes on June 24, 2008
at 8:24 pm
[...] Photo gallery [...]
By: your stories - cataracts « little four eyes on August 20, 2008
at 4:13 am
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3/kellywmars/012.jpg
Maggie got glasses when she was 6.5 months old. I noticed one of her eyes looked towards the side when she focused on something. She has exotropia in her right eye + is very near-sighted (-4) in each eye. It’s been a struggle to get her to keep her glasses on, she is constantly pulling them off + gnawing on them! I hope once teething is over, she will leave them on.
She is also the brochure cover girl for her eye dr!
By: virtualbiscuit on October 14, 2008
at 7:07 pm
[...] Photo gallery [...]
By: catching up « little four eyes on November 17, 2008
at 4:50 am
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1433351&l=c843d&id=617795457
That is my little guy, Nathan. He is 3 1/2 and started wearing glasses about 2 months before he turned 3. He is far-sighted in both eyes (+4). From the first day he put them on, he has left them on – I truly think he knows he can see better and doesn’t mess with them. We are still using the same frames almost 10 months later.
By: PLWW on November 19, 2008
at 4:11 pm
Nathan’s Mom–
can you tell me what kind of frames you have that have lasted this long with a toddler boy??? Thanks!
By: Hagen Hill on November 27, 2008
at 4:02 am
I’m not sure the actual name of them – but I bought them at a special children’s optimical store – all they do are kids. They are a special metal that you can actually squish in your hands and they never break. They have “spring loaded” arms – so when my ds stretches them out to put over his ears – no problem. They were expensive – but its worth it since I’ve never had to replace them as of yet.
Also at costco they have the similar ones – cheaper – I also have a pair of them – that are his back-up frames.
I originally picked really cheap frames at costco as his back-up pair – and he broke them the first time he tried to put them on – so to me its worth the price to get the spring loaded arms.
Also – I’m in Canada – so I’m not sure if we have the same products as you would.
By: PLWW on November 27, 2008
at 5:00 pm
Thanks so much. I am off for my search of kid proof glasses tomorrow.
By: Hagen Hill on November 28, 2008
at 12:57 am
I love your photo gallery. These cute kids just make me smile from ear to ear.
By: timethief on December 30, 2008
at 6:11 pm
Elly was having an “I hate my glasses day.” So, I pulled up this page and we looked at all the cute kids in glasses and read their names. By the time we got to Zoe, Elly had her glasses on again and said she wanted to wear them, like all the other kids. =)
By: amomofelly on January 7, 2009
at 7:32 pm
Great idea, amomofelly! My 2.5 yo son pulls his glasses off when he’s frustrated; I’ll try showing him these pics next time he’s fussy.
By: CEWright on January 10, 2009
at 3:00 am
My 29 month old twins wear glasses due to high nearsightedness. They wear the fisher price ones right now but we want to get them new ones. Does anyone else have children that have high myopia? Please let me know. Thank you! Carol
By: carol on January 15, 2009
at 1:10 am
hi there would love to add a pic of Paris but dont know howto add a link! how do I do that
By: ingrid on January 17, 2009
at 12:34 pm
Virtualbiscuit / Maggies mom
Your daughter looks adorable in glasses!! What brand are they? It sounds like my son has a lot in common with her. He is 5 months old and has been diagnosed with Brown syndrome, exotopia and myopia. I am going to pick up his first pair of glasses on Tuesday. Any tips??
By: Darlene on January 17, 2009
at 10:22 pm
just wondering Ann where you got the little nose piece on the earlier glasses for Zoe, that would be great for Paris. I have never seem them in Oz.
By: ingrid on January 18, 2009
at 11:07 am
Maggie wears Pez frames (they have a LIFETIME warranty: awesome value) + Float Kids frames (as seen in picture, 1 year warranty).
Both are metal flexible frames, purchased from her eye doctor.
By: virtualbiscuit on January 25, 2009
at 1:21 am
I wish I had some tips for you, Darlene. I cannot get Maggie to keep her glasses on to save my life. I’ve tried different tricks such as putting her down for a nap in them so when she wakes up she forgets she has them on to trying to keep her hands busy. The doctor + I both think she is very sensitive to things touching her head which is why she fights the glasses so hard.
I hope you have better luck than us!
I could have screamed when I took her in for a check up the other week to have the doctor tell me Maggie could go a year or so without glasses + be fine. Nice of him to mention that after I spent 500.00 in glasses + frustration/stress of trying to get her to keep them on.
She did have an issue with wall eye, but that has dramatically improved within the past 4 months. I rarely see her doing it. It also seems to me that Maggie sees the tiniest stuff from a good distance away, things that I know I cannot see without my glasses (we’re about the same Rx) which makes me question things.
I’m taking Maggie for a 2nd opinion soon. I’m not going to tell them she has eye issues as I want them to give me an un-biased opinion.
Thank you for your kind words + much luck to you + your son.
By: virtualbiscuit on January 25, 2009
at 1:30 am
Our daughter was diagnosed with a unilateral cataract and she also developed glaucoma and nystagmus. She began wearing glasses at 2 months old and she has not/will not wear her glasses. Her PO suggested we put used paper towel rolls on her arms as makeshift splints. Can you imagine, she just turned 8 months old – I am already concerned about her vision affecting her development and now I have to place splints on her arms and prevent her from crawling, standing or sitting up on her own. I will not place splints on her arms. We have the option of having her wear a contact lens in her right eye and her PO is fighting me on this. Our daughter is part of the IATS study and was chosen to have an IOL (intraocular lens – implanted contact lens) placed in her eye. There are 100 children in this study and she is 1 of 50 that was chosen to have an IOL. The other 50 babies wear a contact lens. When I asked her PO about a contact lens she told me that her IOL allows her to see far and the glasses are to see up close, she told me that it is not a big deal if she does not wear her glasses. I don’t understand how seeing up close is not a big deal. When we patch Mia and she does not have her glasses on, she cannot see up close, I think this is a huge deal. Then when I pressed her PO about the contact lens she told me about the splints. I am going on Monday for a second opinion. When a baby is born with a unilateral cataract, there aphakia eye has never processed images so they are legally blind in this eye. Patching and contact/glasses are essential for them to gain vision. I don’t understand why we cannot try every option if the current method is not working.
Sorry, I am just wicked frustrated and I read your post about your daughter not wearing her glasses. Why have our children been prescribed glasses if they are not “necessary”.
Thanks,
Danielle
By: Danielle on January 25, 2009
at 2:04 am
Danielle and Virtualbiscuit, wow – I think I would scream something fierce if someone told me that the glasses were not necessary after spending all that money and all that energy trying to get my child to wear them. I mean, if I was told that Zoe grew out of the condition, that’d be one thing – but to hear that they’re just not necessary or a huge deal?
And I agree with you Danielle, seeing up close has got to be important – so much is happening at a close range that they have to process visually! I do know that babies are usually naturally farsighted to some degree, but if they’re more than normal, it just makes sense to correct that.
I’m frustrated on both your behalfs (behalves?)!
By: Ann Z on January 25, 2009
at 4:33 am
Aubrie started wearing glasses for farsightedness when she was 20 months. She just turned 3 in December. This is her second style, but 5th set of frames! Praise the lord for the 1 year warranties!
By: Annie on January 27, 2009
at 5:52 pm
My daughter just received her new glasses today. Her name is Lilly and she’s 16 months old. They’re made by Fisher Price and we got them at Killingly Eye Care in Danielson, CT. We’re so grateful that she has a pair that fits her face! You can see her photos on my blog at the following link: http://pam-friedfamilylife.blogspot.com/2009/02/lillys-new-specs.html
By: Pamela on February 6, 2009
at 11:05 pm
Here is my daughter, Brooklynn. Brooklynn is 3.5 years old and has been wearing glasses since she was 2 due to Amblyopia and extreme nearsightedness. We have to patch for 8 hrs per day but Brooklynn is a champ and get’s up every morning to pick her patch and help mommy put it on. She is currently wearing Fisher-Price with cable temples.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v172/Jayceejor/IMG_1051-1.jpg
By: Casey on February 27, 2009
at 2:06 am
I love Brooklynn’s sparkly glasses! She sounds very cooperative about her patch, too. I’ll bet she’s a great helper to her mommy.
By: CEWright on February 27, 2009
at 3:00 am
[...] Photo gallery [...]
By: just starting out « little four eyes on March 2, 2009
at 4:48 am
We just ordered new glasses for Bennett through Zenni Optical online and we LOVE them. They were only $38 including shipping and that’s for his strong prescription (-8 and -12.) They have smaller size frames than these for toddlers but these have been very durable. And so inexpensive!! I thought it may help another parent so here is a photo:
http://thadenpierce.org/2009/harry-potter-glasses/
By: Heidi on March 15, 2009
at 3:11 pm
Sorry, updated link for above:
http://thadenpierce.org/bennett/2009/harry-potter-glasses/
By: Heidi on June 26, 2009
at 4:41 am
Belle is in Disney Princess Snow White 2 frames and a coordinating “Princess” patch from Patch Pals. Her bear & glasses are from BuildABear. Best thing I did to get her excited about her glasses!!!!
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y260/hellokittiemama/P10109991.jpg
By: MT on March 19, 2009
at 1:37 pm
[...] Photo gallery [...]
By: Children’s Eye Foundation’s photo contest « little four eyes on March 26, 2009
at 2:29 am
Hi everyone!
We are new to this board. We noticed our daughter who turned two in November had an intermittent turned left eye around her second birthday. We took her to the eye doctor just before Christmas and we were referred to a pediatric opthamologist, whom we saw for the first time yesterday. Her eye is now constantly turned in and we were told she has amblyopia and strabismus. She is EXTREMELY farsighted. Her left eye (bad eye) is +8++ (off the scale) and her right eye is +7.5. We went and ordered her glasses yesterday and we have to start patching her everyday for 4 hours.
To me being at the end of the scale this early in the game is so scary. Just wondering if anyone else’s kidlets suffer from such extreme high numbers.
Any suggestions to make the transition from no glasses to glasses easier for her? She is a very strong willed child, so I know it will take time and patience.
By: Barb on March 26, 2009
at 2:52 pm
Hi Barb, I only have a quick minute, but I wanted to send a quick response. If your daughter is so extremely farsighted, she may transition easily to the glasses and some of her strong-willedness maybe because she could not see clearly. I was reading today on a website of a pediatric opthamologist that this can be the case… even some children are incorrectly labeled or diagnosed with autism and ADD or ADHD because they have undiagnosed eye problems. You have to send us a picture with her glasses, so we can encourage her by how beautiful she is!!!
By: Corrie on March 26, 2009
at 3:21 pm
Hi Barb – My daughter’s prescription is +5.75 in both eyes & we caught it at 18 months & finally saw the PO & got glasses at 20 months. She is also VERY strong willed. It took about a day to get her consistently wearing her glasses. We had to basically give her lots of compliments & talk them up so she thought it was very Cool to have them. Once she realized how much it helped she didn’t have a problem wearing them. She used to just throw them when she got mad, but she’s grown out of that. Some helpful advice is warranties are a MUST with the little ones! Anyway, my PO said about half the kids can grow out of this in their teens so it’s just a matter of being optimistic. Aubrie just has strabismus so I’m not sure about the amblyopia, but many other parents can fill you in on that. Her prescription got worse last July, but we’re hoping this July it gets better
Best of luck & post a picture for us when you can.
By: Annie on March 26, 2009
at 3:37 pm
Welcome Barb! Your daughter is nearly the exact same age as Zoe (turned 2 in October). I wanted to add that farsightedness will sometimes worsen at first, but theny lessens with time through childhood, so the good news is that your daughter’s prescription will likely get better through the next few years, not worse.
Check out some of the other suggestions for getting glasses on the Collected Wisdom page. I think for her age, making it an exciting, celebratory thing might help. You may also want to check some books out of your library that are positive stories about kids in glasses (not stories about kids being teased about their glasses).
Some parents have also had luck showing their kids the pictures in the photo gallery so their kids see other people their age in glasses. And please share a picture of your daughter in her glasses if you’re comfortable with it. I bet she’ll look amazing.
Best of luck and please keep us updated!
By: Ann Z on March 26, 2009
at 7:10 pm
Ann also setup a great Amazon bookstore for us parents. I got a really cute Princess Peepers book for Aubrie. She is starting to realize at 3 that not very many kids have glasses & it bothers her. She loves the book & I think it helps convince her that glasses are great!
By: Annie on March 26, 2009
at 7:20 pm
Hi Ladies!
Thanks for your responses. I’m so glad to have found this website and know that we aren’t going through this alone. A big part of me feels really bad that her vision is so horrible and I blame myself in one way or another that she has to wear glasses. The lazy eye does run in both sides of our family, and all of those with this eye issue are female. I have a 3-year old son who up to this point seems to have perfect vision, but I’m going to book him in for an eye checkup just to be safe. I’m also 32.5 weeks pregnant with our third and now I’m worried that this baby will have eye problems. I just really feel like I’ve failed my kids as a parent. I’m trying to remain positive that there are worse things that we could be dealing with and that our kids are healthy!!! I showed Kaylee pictures of all the other little kids on here with glasses and she seemed to understand it. My husband is on the prowl to find a cabbage patch doll with glasses for her. We ordered her glasses on Wednesday evening and found out from the optical place that the Disney frames we wanted were backordered until May. The lady at the store did manage to get a hold of their sales rep that had the correct frames in the correct size and color that we wanted, so now its just a matter of him sending them to her and getting the lenses put in. She hopes to have the glasses to us by Tuesday. I have to pickup the glasses and get her patch fitted on them too.
I appreciate the support ladies! Glad that there is a website to turn to!!!
By: Barb on March 27, 2009
at 7:06 pm
Barb, I am totally with you, that yes, although glasses are not fun and dealing with eye issues is hard, still our children are healthy and it could be worse! Whenever I feel sorry for myself and what our children are going through, I stop by the Children’s Hospital. In a very short amount of time of being there, I see what other children and their parents are dealing with, even some facing death, and I start counting my blessings!!! Good luck to you and your little Kaylee! You will get so used to her in glasses, you will miss something when she is not wearing them!
By: Corrie on March 29, 2009
at 6:27 pm
Barb, you did NOT fail your little Kaylee as a mother. At one point or another we as parents all feel like we have failed, but there are many things that are way beyond our control and our children’s eye sight is one of them. The only way that you would fail Kaylee is if you now that you know decided not to do anything about it! My oldest daughter (now 4) has a hearing loss that went undetected until she was two and not talking and I insisted on having her hearing tested. Now, talk about feeling guilty for not noticing for two years that she couldn’t hear! Our Ellie is 2.5 now and has worn glasses since she is 9 months old! One word of advice about the eye patch that attaches to her frame is that you have to be sure that she cannot “cheat” if she does it can cause eye muscle problems on the eye that is peeking around the eye patch. I don’t know what your recommendations are from the PO, but if I were you, I would start with just getting your daughter used to wearing the glasses, and then starting the eye patch! The patching is VERY hard in the beginning, but persevere!!! It does get better as her vision gets better!!! You may also want to rechildproof your house because she will lose all depth perception and accident are more likely in the beginning (just talking from personal experience!) God will take care of that little one you are carrying too and he/she may not have any problems at all! The good thing is that your pediatrician will have her at the PO when she is 6 months old just to rule out an eye problem and that way you will not have to worry that it goes undetected if she does have a problem. I have four children (4 and under) and so far only my second oldest has an eye problem! I can’t wait to see a picture of your little princess in glasses!
By: Corrie on March 27, 2009
at 9:45 pm
I totally agree with Corrie on this. I think we all probably felt very guilty when we realized our kids have vision problems. It’s often missed by our pediatricians. My Aubrie had to wait 2 months after I noticed her eyes crossing before we could even see a PO & get diagnosed. I was so devastated…very pregnant & very hormonal! It was rough on me, probably harder than it was for her to adjust to her glasses. However, it will get better & you’ll be proud of yourself for taking action early! I do suggest you get your other kids checked. My PO said it’s highly genetic. I had my son checked at 1 year and his vision is perfect. My sister is pregnant & my PO also said all my siblings must have their children checked as well by age 1. You’ll feel much better when her glasses arrive & this becomes a part of your routine. Best of luck to your family
By: Annie on March 27, 2009
at 9:59 pm
Just one more voice to say that you have nothing to feel bad about. The fact that you were able to catch this and are getting her glasses and started patching now, when she’s only 2 is fantastic. That’s not failing your daughter, it’s the opposite. And Corrie and Annie are absolutely right, what you’re feeling is very normal – we’ve all been there. Please keep us updated.
Oh, and if you don’t find a doll with glasses, there was a post at amblyopiakids about places to buy toy glasses for dolls and bears: http://www.amblyopiakids.com/2009/03/glasses-for-her-dolls.html
By: Ann Z on March 28, 2009
at 3:10 am
Hi guys,
I can totally relate to the guilt issue! I had myself CONVINCED that my daughters eye problem was due to the occasional glass of wine I had in my pregnancy. I was absolutely sick over it, could not sleep, was all consumed by it until my husband snapped me out of it. I guess as a mom, you just want an explanation and you want to fix it. I just feel sad for Paris sometimes that she has to wear the glasses, especially on days when she is obviously frustrated with them and wants to keep pulling them off. I look at her siblings who dont have eye problems and feel it’s not fair! But such is life and as you pointed out it is really a small problem compared to many and our children are all healthy. I think it is almost like gaining an acceptance of it and moving on to do the best you can do now for your child which everyone on this site should be commended for doing.There is no one to blame. I am trying to stay calm and positive and hoping with all my heart that her vision improves and does not hinder her in anything she does in life. Like most people on this forum, we have caught it early so that is a bonus. Good luck to everyone on their journey to achieving the best possible outcome for their little one.
Ingrid and Paris
By: ingrid on March 28, 2009
at 3:14 am
Ingrid, I am totally with you, that as a parent we want to fix anything! Yes, our children may not grow up to become pilots, but they are already learning at such a very young age not to let anything stay in their way to achieving what they want to achieve! Just think about how much they have already overcome! And yes, they are learning that life is sometimes not fair, but that we can learn to make the best of it! We are from Germany, and in Germany, or really all of Europe, glasses are considered an accessory, a piece of jewelry… so think of her glasses as that, a beautiful piece of jewelry right on your daughter’s beautiful face!!! Your little Paris will grow up to become just what God intended her to become!
By: Corrie on March 29, 2009
at 6:24 pm
Thanks Corrie for your kind words. You are right, glasses these days are just lovely and we have some beautiful ones for Paris and she looks so cute in them as all the kids do. I say a prayer every night for all the little ones who are facing difficulties with their vision and as you said they will grow up and adjust and be stronger for it. Thank God we have come a long way when it comes to treating vision problems and will only get more advanced as the years go on so you never know what can happen. These little ones have the best shot as they are so young.
Thanks again….
Ingrid x
By: ingrid nelson on March 30, 2009
at 2:18 am
[...] There’s been quite a bit of discussion in the Photo Gallery comments sections on the guilt that we parents often feel (myself included), especially when we first learn [...]
By: guilt « little four eyes on March 30, 2009
at 3:44 am
Well ladies…
We are off to go pickup Kaylee’s glasses and get them fitted!!! Wish me luck in keeping them on her. My husband is out of town until tomorrow evening so I’m going this alone.
I did have a bit of a breakthru with her though. I tried finding a doll that had glasses for her with no luck. So I took a pair of baby sunglasses and popped the lens’ out and let her pretend to put them on her doll. They are a bit big, but she decided she would wear them instead. She looked so funny wearing big thick blue frames, but she’d walk up to the mirror and say “I pretty mommy”. She wore them for the better part of Sunday and yesterday, so I’m hoping her actual glasses stay on just as well!!!! I’ll post some pics as soon as I can!!!
Thanks again for all the support!!! I joined the Facebook page as well so I can keep in touch!!!
By: Barb on March 31, 2009
at 8:54 pm
Now, see how CUTE she is!!! And Kaylee looks very happy and proud of her new glasses, too! You did GREAT! The last time, I had Ellie fitted with glasses, I was in there with a three-year-old, a two-year-old (Ellie), a one-year-old, and a newborn by myself after an already three hour long appointment…. ha, you can imagine how happy they were to get me out of there!
She looks great! Before you know it, this will all be as normal as getting out of bed in the mornings!
By: Corrie on April 1, 2009
at 2:15 am
We did the something similar with a pair of cheap sunglasses that Zoe got in her valentine’s bag at daycare. They had already broken and one lens had popped out, so I popped the other out, and they fit her stuffed monkey perfectly.
I love that she thought wearing the frames was pretty. Good luck!! Keep us updated.
By: Ann Z on March 31, 2009
at 9:08 pm
Kaylee looks beautiful, well done! A few days and it will seem very normal. In fact she will seem like she is missing something without them as they really become part of their little character! They do add another level of cuteness that is for sure.
By: ingrid nelson on April 1, 2009
at 3:02 am
Kaylee looks adorable & looks like she’s wearing her glasses and loves them! That’s awesome! Like the others said soon you’ll think she looks funny without them! It becomes part of their character!
By: Annie on April 1, 2009
at 1:25 pm
Thanks ladies for all your postive comments! We are on Day 2 of wearing the glasses and she has taken them off a few times, so I’ve had to be diligent in reminding her to put them back on, but so far so good. I picked up her patch today – something called the ‘Perfect Patch’ that actually fits over the lens of the glasses instead of getting the patch that sticks to her face, she would fight me tooth and nail if I made her wear the sticky one. I’m going to give it a few more days of wearing just the glasses before I introduce the patch just so that she doesn’t get discouraged that we are introducing too much too fast. I have noticed that she is really rubbing her eyes while the glasses are on, I know that it will take awhile for her eyes to adjust, but has anyone else noticed this with their little ones?
By: Barb on April 1, 2009
at 10:07 pm
Hello Everyone!
We are also new to this board. I just wanted to thank you for all of your comments and help! I am so excited that I came across this website. I just found out a couple of days ago that my 17 month old is extremely far sighted 7.5+ in both eyes. It diagnosed by an optometrist and so I am in the process of getting a 2nd opinion from a Pediatric Opthamologist. My daughter is extremely strong willed and very temperamental and so the adjustment to wearing glasses will be extremely difficult! But, I appreciate all of your tips, darling pictures, and information!
I also have a 3 yr. old that I need to take in as I have been reading that it is hereditary.
I have read that with kids this young it is possible for the vision to get better in time? Is there any hope with my little one with her perscription starting out at such high numbers?
By: Monica on April 17, 2009
at 1:09 am
Welcome Monica!
Glad you found this board! My daughter (Kaylee) is almost 2.5 and EXTREMELY strong willed as well. I didn’t think that we’d be able to keep her glasses on her at all. Well, she fooled us. The first day she wore them home from the eye glass place (with a few bribes), the next day we put her glasses on her right away in the morning, and I had to be diligent in reminding her to leave them on. But by the fourth day, she was asking for them. Now when she gets up in the mornings, she brings her glasses to us and asks us to put them on. We didn’t really have any issues. So you may be completely surprised, I was!!
Barb
By: Barb on April 17, 2009
at 2:52 pm
Hi Monica! Welcome, I’m glad you found us. The adjustment to glasses is not always easy, but your daughter may surprise you – with that bad of a prescription, she may take to glasses and seeing clearly very quickly. You’ll have to send us a picture once she has her glasses.
As for vision improving. With farsightedness, most kids do improve with age through adolescence, but with a prescription that high, she’ll probably still need glasses (I read somewhere that a prescription of +3 or less generally improved to the point where the kids no longer needed glasses).
Keep us updated on how the 2nd opinion and the glasses go!
By: Ann Z on April 17, 2009
at 1:49 am
Thanks for your help! So nice to hear from other mothers who have gone through this.
I will keep you updated on how the 2nd opinion goes. I am also going to take my 3 yr. old into the same appointment and so will be interested to see if he has vision problems as well.
Barb, How old was Kaylee when she got her glasses? Interesting that she is also very strong willed. I do wonder if it has anything to do with their vision problem too? What I am worried about is my Sofia is 17 months and not talking yet and is constantly having temper tantrums. When we took her into the office to try on the glasses we literally had to hold her arms down and put them on her while she was kicking and screaming on the ground. I don’t think that she understands bribery or anything like that yet.
I am hoping that she will have a smooth transition and will realize that she sees better with them on.
By: Monica on April 18, 2009
at 3:50 pm
We got Kaylee’s glasses on March 31st. So it hasn’t been a month yet. I think some of the strong willedness is from the vision problems as well. She has adjusted very well, very quickly. We had the same experience at the eye glass place – temper tantrum, holding her down, etc. Which is basically why we went with the first pair we found fit her. As for bribery…you have another child, trust me, she’ll get it…ha ha. I have a 3 year old as well (they are 11 months apart), and Kaylee caught on very quickly to bribery thanks to her older brother!!!
We also have to patch Kaylee for four hours a day. I started this, but became ill with bronchitis and was put on bedrest for the past few weeks (I’m almost 36 weeks pregnant). So I didn’t want to throw the patching into the mix when I’m not doing it (my mother in law has been out here helping me out while I rest). Hopefully my doctor will induce me in just over a week and things can semi get back to normal. I hope to be able to start patching her again slowly, as throwing her right into the four hours a day might cause her to throw in the towel altogether. We have to go back to the PO in three months time and it looks like we will be able to increase her prescription to the full +7.5 and +8.0. The PO started her out on a weaker prescription as he didn’t want to overdue it with her.
Like the other ladies have said on here, she may just surprise you and leave them on. I know I was pleasantly surprised how quickly she adjusted. Now she brings them to us every morning when she wakes up and asks us to put them on!!!
By: Barb on April 18, 2009
at 5:38 pm
Great to hear. Sounds like Sofie and Kaylee have similar perscription strengths. They also told me that they were going to start her perscription at a lesser amount in order to try to get her eyes to get still get beter on their own.
I am still interested to see what the PO will say since I have only taken her to an optometrist so far.
Sorry to hear about your bedrest and bronchitis. Sounds like you have your hands full!
Thanks ladies for your help. I’m anxious to pick up Sofie’s glasses both to see how she will do with them and also see if it will make her happier!
By: Monica on April 18, 2009
at 7:16 pm
I can SO relate to holding my daughter down to get her glasses fitted. She threw a major toddler tantrum and I thought there was no way she was ever going to wear glasses. We made her room a glasses free zone and she couldn’t come out without them on. I didn’t mind her playing without them. In less than 2 days, she was wearing them non-stop and now I have to try really hard to convince her to take them off.
I also love the new pictures. Your kids are so cute with their glasses!!!! If you haven’t shared what kinds of frames your kids in, please post on this thread. It’s really helpful to know when someone has found a great pair! http://littlefoureyes.com/2009/01/31/open-thread-on-glasses/
By: amomofelly on April 18, 2009
at 7:18 pm
Oh, Zoe threw a major fit at her glasses fitting, too (she was 14 months). We also had to hold her arms down while we tried to see what would fit. It really scared me – I was sure she’d never wear the glasses.
Come to think of it, the last time we got her new frames, she was better at the fitting, but still got tired of it so quickly and would ask for her regular glasses every 15 minutes or so. I suppose that when they’re trying on the glasses for a fitting, there’s no prescription in the lenses, so there’s no incentive to wear these crazy things on your face. Plus they often have sticker and almost certainly have lots of smudges on the lenses, so of course you wouldn’t want to wear them. But when they have a prescription that improves their vision, I think they have a reason to wear them.
Best of luck!!
By: Ann Z on April 19, 2009
at 3:37 am
Hello again.
I have another question! So, we picked up Sofie’s glasses 3 days ago and she will have NOTHING to do with them. I think that the total time she has kept them on her face without screaming and chucking them across the room is maybe 2 minutes.
Well, the optometrist that I went to said that her perscription was +7.5 in each eye. I have a 2nd opinion with a PO in a month. So, my question is do you think that there is any way that the optometrist could have been off on the perscription? I see that most of you go to a PO?? Since she is only 17 months she is not talking at all and so I can’t communicate with her to know if the glasses are helping her see better.
All I know is that she does NOT like them. So, should I continue to try to force her to wear them?Or wait for a 2nd opinion?
Thanks for your help.
By: Monica on April 25, 2009
at 3:51 pm
I think Amomofelly is right. Many POs undercorrect the lenses for the first glasses to get the child accustomed to wearing glasses first. This may not be the case with your optometrist who prescribed the actual correction necessary. I would try to get her to wear them until you see the PO if you cannot get any results trying to see the PO sooner. You could also ask the optometrist if it would be possible that a weaker prescription would help her adapt to the glasses better.
By: Corrie on April 29, 2009
at 9:02 am
How stressful! You sound like you are in-tune to her needs and feelings, I would do what your gut tells you to do. It seems our mommy instincts are usually right. Elly’s vision is -7.75, but the first pair of glasses were undercorrected at -5.5. If you can, I would even try call the PO office and explain your situation. They may (or may not) be able to give you advice on trying to keep the glasses on or off and may even get you an appointment earlier? Good luck and keep us posted!
By: amomofelly on April 26, 2009
at 12:40 am
Here’s Conall (16 months) day one with his new glasses seeing a cat clearly for the first time…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/incmpltsoul/paintglasses009.jpg
he is +6 in each eye with esotropia due to his farsightedness. He loves his Miraflex glasses, he brings them to me in the case each morning and says “gasses peez!”
By: Heather on April 29, 2009
at 5:15 am
He is too cute!!!
By: Corrie on April 29, 2009
at 8:58 am
Thanks Ladies for your help!
I actually have one more question! Which glasses do all of you prefer?? Heather, you say that you like the Miraflex glasses?? I am having a hard time finding any office that carries them.
I got Sofie (my 17 month old) a little metal frame and she still refuses to wear them and actually broke them yesterday! I am realizing that we will need something a little more durable for her age and temperment!
So, is Miraflex and Solobambini the most durable?? Are most people happy with them? Is there a difference between the two? Or does anyone have any other recommendations?
Thanks
By: Monica on April 30, 2009
at 6:14 pm
We also just have a metal frame as this is all that was available in the great city of Atlanta.
I never even thought to buy them on the internet as I would not have known what size to order. The optical place we got them from has a one year unconditional warranty on the frames and lenses, and will put new lenses in for free if the prescription changes in the first year. I have found this is a very important thing to have as we have already replace Ellie’s second pair of glasses three times, and she has only had them for 6 months. She is not even really rough with them, but they do break or bend quite easily. I did look at the cool frames that Solobambini has. Maybe one day, I will order a pair for Ellie. Good luck!
By: Corrie on May 1, 2009
at 1:14 am
Hey Monica,
Yes, the Miraflex seem to be quite durable…he has had one temper tantrum and tried his darndest to break them, but with no luck, thank goodness. Have you tried looking on the Miraflex website? they may have a list of retailers near you!
By: Heather on May 7, 2009
at 3:16 pm
Hi Monica,
I think Miraflex and Solobanini are quite durable. I had the chance this weekend to see a pair of Miraflex in person and the mother of the girl wearing them twisted them this way and that and they just popped back into shape, which was cool. I think a lot of people order them over the internet.
I think I would also recommend talking to your eye doctor to see if he or she would consider undercorrecting a possibility for Sofie to get her used to the glasses. It did take Zoe a full 2 weeks before she’d leave her glasses on for any length of time, but we lucked out and she never managed to break them – just throw them a lot.
If you haven’t looked at the open thread on glasses, the comments on that post have a lot of information on what frames people have had and how well they’ve worked
http://littlefoureyes.com/2009/01/31/open-thread-on-glasses/
By: Ann Z on April 30, 2009
at 6:24 pm
Hi Everyone,
I am so thankful to have found this website. We just found out that our 20 month-old will have to wear glasses due to Accomodative Estropia (as I otherwise learned has to do with farsightedness). I am having a difficult time with this. I feel guilty, like I did something wrong, not enough Vitamin A in my diet, ect. I know that I can’t blame myself, but it’s hard not to feel that way. He was a 4.5 in one eye and 6.0 in the other. I didn’t even know what that meant, until today…My PO is the best in the area and supposed to be one of the best in the country, she said that some children will grow out of the farsightedness (though, she wasn’t giving false hope), has anyone ever experienced this?
Now comes the hard part. I can’t get him to even try the glasses on without screaming. How long did it take for others around 20 months to transition?
Thank you,
Alicia
By: Alicia M on May 5, 2009
at 10:34 pm
Hi Alicia, I’m so glad you found us. I know how hard this can be, we’ve all been through it – and are still going through it. Please don’t feel that you did anything to cause this, you didn’t – and more importantly, you’re now doing something to help your son.
I’ve read that children who grow out of farsightedness generally start with a prescription of less than +3, but most children will get less farsighted with age. There was a post a couple months ago that touched on this – http://littlefoureyes.com/2009/03/30/reader-request-growing-out-of-farsightedness/, and one of the readers here wore glasses for farsightedness when she was little, and she grew out of it.
As for transitioning to glasses. Zoe was 14 months old, and I know every child is different, but she HATED trying on glasses at the store, but remember, those glasses don’t have lenses to help them see. In the end, it took Zoe 2 weeks to really get used to the glasses, but I know stories of some children that take to it right away, and others that take longer. Maybe look at checking some books about wearing glasses out from the library, and really talk up how great glasses are?
Good luck and please keep us updated!
By: Ann Z on May 5, 2009
at 11:01 pm
Hi ladies!
Glad to see that many others have found this website. It is a wonderful support!! Just wanted to pop my head in and say hello. I had baby #3 last Wednesday – a girl, Emily. I’ve been MIA for the past bit as I developed an infection and have been hospitalized (thank goodness for laptops). I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas for patching. I’ve been to the subject about patching on here, but so far nothing seems to make her want to keep the patch on, even doing it gradually. I backed off the patch right now as its a difficult time when I’m not able to be home. But I’d like to start up again as soon as I get home and was hoping that maybe another approach would help. Anyone?
By: Barb on May 6, 2009
at 1:44 am
HMMMMMMMMMMMM Lets just say, I am in the same boat. I’m trying out a whole bunch of different patches and there are definately ones that she keeps on easier. I’m finding that new experiences are helping to keep them on. Ie ) my friend gave us moon sand and she sat and built cakes and kept her patch on for over an hour with no complaints and the other day we took her to a pond to feed the ducks and had the same thing. Corrie has great ideas and I am looking forward to hearing the new things she’s doing with her Ellie. (I hope you get well soon)
By: amomofelly on May 6, 2009
at 6:32 pm
Yes. Patching is very, very hard, especially in the beginning. I am lucky as our two-year-old daughter is definitely an adult pleaser and will do almost anything that she is asked to do. She did struggle a lot with the patch when she was younger, but now, she has come to accept it as a part of her routine. I think the one very important thing is to give her no alternative. It is about the HARDEST thing, we ever have to do as parents to feel like we are torturing our children by taking their vision away. What you have to remember is the longterm benefit that she will get by you making her wear the patch. We have a four-year-old that has other problems and is definitely not as easy going as our Ellie. She wears a hearing aid and has to wear headgear at night. The headgear has been our biggest struggle yet. I went through reward, punishment, bribery, everything to get her to keep it on at night. Yes, I agree, I would not want to wear it, but it is necessary, so I must be consistent about it. One thing that finally made it click is when I explained to her that she has to wear it like Ellie has to wear her patch because we love her and it will make her teeth better, and that if she does not wear it, she will have to deal with it a lot longer than if she does wear it every night. That was not enough, because it is hard for a four-year-old to understand such language. So, I had to take it one step further. She absolutely LOVES to ride a special school bus to go to a special pre-K program. One night I told her if she did not keep the headgear on, she would not get to ride the bus the next morning (a HUGE inconvenience for me as we have three other children all younger than her). She did not have it on the next morning and I had to go through with my warning and get everyone up to take her to school instead. Since then, she has not worn it willingly, but she has kept it on at night and we are making progress. I’m sorry, long story, but getting back to patching: The key to getting Ellie used to patching and leaving it on, was to put it on first thing in the morning when she got up and immediately getting her involved in something she likes to do. Amomofelly has a great list of activities to do on here, and I promise I will update this soon. When she got tired of wearing it and started pulling it off, I had to consistently keep it on her. There was NO alternative to wearing it. Patching is very, very hard because we are taking most of their vision away. However, it does get easier as the vision in that eye improves and she will get used to the idea that she has no other choice. Anyways, I hope this helps! I know it is very, very hard, but hang in there, you are doing what is BEST for your daughter! Praying you will get home very soon and be completely well!
By: Corrie on May 6, 2009
at 7:14 pm
Wow, it’s a little four eyes baby boom! Congratulations Barb! I hope you heal quickly.
I’ll let others who have done more patching give more advice, but from everything I’ve read here, it’s just really, really hard. I have to imagine that with a new sister and you being in the hospital, it would be that much harder. Have you looked at the Adventures in Amblyopia blog (http://www.amblyopiakids.com/)? There’s some good advice there, too.
By: Ann Z on May 6, 2009
at 2:18 am
[...] Photo gallery [...]
By: Photos in the photo gallery « little four eyes on May 7, 2009
at 3:03 am
I had a 2nd opinion today with a PO and left the appointment very confused!!! So, if any of you parents have any input on this situation.. please feel free to share!
I guess I will preface with the history. So, a couple months ago I took my 18 month old in to an optometrist because I was concerned with her squinting and few minor development delays. After a 3 hour exam, the optometrist told me that she was a +7.5 in both eyes and to put her in glasses immediately because her eyes were starting to cross.
So, of course I put her in glasses and decided to also get a second opinion with a PO. Well, that appointment was today and at the appointment, the PO said that her vision was definitely not +7.5, but more like +4.5 in both eyes. He also said that her eyes were not starting to cross yet, but that he would like to keep checking her to keep up with it.
He said that he doesn’t like to put kids as young as 18 months in glasses with a prescription of +4.5 in both eyes (unless the eyes are crossed) and to discontinue glasses for right now.
This was concerning to me because both my husband and I have noticed a difference since she has worn her glasses–like she will look at books, make eye contact, and focus better overall.
I guess that I am just confused because so far I have had two completely different opinions!
Have any of you had a similar experience or know more info on why I was advised to discontinue with glasses for awhile?
By: Monica on May 19, 2009
at 2:52 am
Hi Monica, I have no idea why the PO would make such a statement. I know from personal experience that many POs have very differing opinions on how to approach correcting vision to what an optometrist says. However, I can tell you that our daughter started wearing glasses at 9 months and her prescription was then only at 2.5 or something. Of course her diagnosis was entirely different as she had infantile esotropia (inward turning of both eyes), and she already had one surgery and then developed amblyopia after surgery, so the PO prescribed glasses. Did you mention to the PO what you observed with your daughter about the looking at books, eye contact, etc.? I am very surprised with that high of a refractive error that the PO would not want to correct this with glasses. I realize at this age they cannot do an acuity testing, but obviously the glasses are helping her see better otherwise, she would not even keep them on. I would possibly consider either talking to the PO you saw again and mentioning your concerns and observations, and if nothing is accomplished this way, I would possibly get another opinion. I feel like there are too many differing opinions among optometrists and POs and it often leaves parents very confused. We are in the same boat and are trying to get an appointment at another PO for a second opinion as well. As a parent, we should be able to trust a doctor, but ultimately I have learned that we need to trust ourselves more than the doctor, as we are the parents and are with our children all day every day, while they are not.:-)
By: Corrie on May 19, 2009
at 11:54 am
Hi Monica – I totally agree with Corrie. I would talk to the PO and if he doesn’t completely answer your questions I’d get a 3rd opinion. A +4.5 seems like a decent prescription it seems odd that he would not prescribe glasses. My daughter started at a +5.5 and is now at +5.75 in both eyes. She also was starting to cross her eyes which is why we saw a PO. I also noticed a HUGE difference in her after her glasses. Her vocabulary just exploded like she could finally see things. It just amazed me. Best of luck to you!
By: Annie on May 19, 2009
at 1:30 pm
Monica, I know that it’s a topic of debate around when glasses should be prescribed for farsightedness if there’s no crossing. Zoe’s PO also had us wait until her eyes crossing became more constant, but she was 9 months at the time, which is a big difference in age. It sounds like you are noticing her eyes crossing without glasses. Do you have any pictures of her eyes crossed that you could show the PO? I agree with everyone else that if you’re seeing good changes with the glasses, I’d be very reluctant to discontinue them. Would it be possible to meet, or even talk on the phone with both doctors to see what their reactions to the other doctor’s thoughts are?
By: Ann Z on May 19, 2009
at 8:17 pm
Great advice everyone. Thank you for your help and support. I decided to respond to each of you in this comment since I had a response to all of you!
Corrie- I definitely agree with you that there are differences in opinions between optometrists and POs AND for us parents it is very confusing! Yes, I did mention to the PO about her progress with wearing the glasses, but he was still firm on his opinion that she is only 18 months and will do fine without them. Kinda frustrating.. and I will probably end up getting another opinion. Also, good luck with your 2nd opinion.. hope that it helps you!
Annie- Interesting that you said that glasses helped your daughter’s vocabulary. In just less that one month of my daughter’s experience wearing glasses, she finally started saying a few words and I too felt like it was because she could finally see things.
Ann- Good to hear that it is a topic of debate when glasses should be prescribed if there is no crossing. I never knew that. I liked your idea of taking a picture if her eyes crossed so that I could show the PO. Thanks. Also, I am going to try to give the PO and possibly optometrist a call tomorrow to discuss this situation. I would be interested to see what their reactions to the other doctor’s thoughts are.
I will let you guys know. Thanks again and good luck with your kids too!
By: Monica on May 20, 2009
at 1:18 am
Hi!
And thanks for making this forum and this beautiful gallery!
We have a lovely 4 years old daughter who – unfortunately like her parents – is extremely farsighted. Her eyeglasses are +20.00 and even when she wears them she has very poor vision. Is there a chance, however, that she can grow out of her farsightedness, or must we prepare for her to be visionally impaired for the rest of her life? What experiences do you people here have with contact lenses/implants?
By: Barb K. on May 31, 2009
at 1:47 pm
Hi Barb! Thanks for writing and for the compliments. I’d like to move this question to a main blog post so you might get more replies. I know that some of the parents of children with cataracts have used contacts and implants. Has her eye doctor recommended contacts or implants?
I do think that most children grow less farsighted as they get older. We were told Zoe might (or might not) grow out of needing glasses around age 12 or 13. Her prescription is +4.25. So I imagine that your daughter will always be farsighted, but she will quite possibly have a prescription that is not quite as strong, and so might grow into better vision.
We’d love to add a picture of your daughter to the gallery if you wanted to send a picture.
Best to you, Ann
By: Ann Z on May 31, 2009
at 2:20 pm
Thanks a lot for this kind and quick response.
It’s very kind of you to move my question to a main blog. I wasn’t really sure how to do this. I will see if we later on. can find a suitable picture to post.
To your questions: We get different answers and different hope from different eye doctors. And maybe because both me and my husband are (at least nearly) visually impaired caused by our extreme farsightedness, we are concerned for our little princess. I myself am for some reasons not able to wear contacts, and wearing glasses with a prescription nearly as strong as my daughter’s I know a little about what this means to her.
By: Barb K. on May 31, 2009
at 2:32 pm
Hi again,
I’m very sorry for my rude nagging. I was about to post a picture of our little rose, but my husband doesn’t agree. He is very sceptical for the Internet, and he is specially concerned about posting a picture of our daughter on the web. I guess we have to take some domestic discussions first
Again – sorry for the disturbance. I would be happy if you inform me about where (to which blog) you move my original message. This means so much to us – getting in contact with other parents with similar challenges.
By: Barb K. on May 31, 2009
at 5:25 pm
Hi…i found this site on google after finding out last week that my 23 month old daughter Becca needs glasses.
She has an astigmatism in one eye & she is quite long sighted. She should get her glasses in the next few days & then i will be able to add her photo to the gorgeous photo’s in this gallery.
By: Vanessa on June 11, 2009
at 11:36 pm
Welcome Vanessa! Thanks for writing, we look forward to seeing how great Becca looks in her new glasses.
By: Ann Z on June 12, 2009
at 1:26 am
[...] [...]
By: 2 year old to wear glasses :o( - Netmums Coffeehouse on June 12, 2009
at 1:26 pm
omg! how many kids do you have?! lol they’re all cute but damn! hope some of those are doubles of one kid. i’d go insane if i were you xD
By: Jenny on June 19, 2009
at 3:48 am
(I’m still chuckling at the insanity of having so many kids under the age of 5 at the same time).
By: Ann Z on June 19, 2009
at 3:56 am
My goodness, we have developed a great looking bunch here! Ann, thank you so much once again for starting this!
By: Linda on June 19, 2009
at 6:48 pm
Wow, am I ever so happy to have stumbled upon this site!
We just found out last week that our 17 month old son, Oliver, needed glasses. We had noticed that he had been tilting his head back for as far as we can remember. But, we didn’t really think anything of it until he started doing it progressively more, especially up close. So, we broached the subject with our pediatrician and requested a referral for an eye appointment.
Upon taking Ollie to the pediatric opthamologist we were surprised to learn that he is farsighted, has strabismus, and severe astigmatism in his right eye.
Today was his first day in glasses and he did quite well while we were out, but once we got home, off they came. He’s not too fond of wearing them inside (any suggestions on how to keep them on, anyone??? Help!). The optician said that since it’s his first day in them and since it was late in the day, we should start fresh tomorrow and see how he does in them throughout the day, when he’s more alert. So, we’ll see how tomorrow goes.
Anyway, if possible to add to the gallery, here’s his picture. Ollie, 17 months old, his first day in his glasses. He wears them for farsightedness, strabsimus, and astigmatism
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/rodeci/OLLIE/First%20glasses/?action=view¤t=IMG_0486a.jpg
By: Rosa on June 23, 2009
at 10:25 pm
Welcome Rosa! I’ve posted the picture of Ollie – he has a great smile! I’m so glad the first day with glasses went well. I agree with your optician that you may want to give him a little bit more time to get used to them. It took Zoe a good 2 weeks to really settle in to hers. In the meantime, boredom is the enemy of glasses, so try to have a lot of fun and interesting activities for Ollie to do when you first put his glasses on, and try to keep a positive attitude and don’t turn it in to a power struggle. It can be hard, but it sounds like he’s off to a great start.
Good luck tomorrow and keep us updated on how Ollie is doing!
By: Ann Z on June 24, 2009
at 2:52 am
Oh my goodness, Ollie is so cute! I agree with Ann Z! It takes a while to get a toddler used to wearing glasses and keeping him busy is the best way to get him to keep them on. It is just something so different that they have to adapt to. Think of it as shoes… if Ollie never wore shoes until now, it would take him a while to adapt and get used to having them on. After a while, he would realize that wow, he can walk much better outside with them than barefoot.
But to get him there, you will have to keep putting the shoes back on and encourage him to try them. It is the same thing with the glasses. At first, they are so new and different, and they might bother his nose or his eyes, but once he gets used to them, he will discover how much better he can see with them and will ask you to put them on! Hang in there! You will both make it through this together!
By: Corrie on June 24, 2009
at 3:03 am
Ohhhhh, Ollie is so cute! I agree with Ann Z! It takes a while to get a toddler used to wearing glasses and keeping him busy is the best way to get him to keep them on. It is just something so different that they have to adapt to. Think of it as shoes… if Ollie never wore shoes until now, it would take him a while to adapt and get used to having them on. After a while, he would realize that wow, he can walk much better outside with them than barefoot.
But to get him there, you will have to keep putting the shoes back on and encourage him to try them. It is the same thing with the glasses. At first, they are so new and different, and they might bother his nose or his eyes, but once he gets used to them, he will discover how much better he can see with them and will ask you to put them on! Hang in there! You will both make it through this together!
By: Corrie on June 24, 2009
at 3:04 am
I really like that analogy to shoes, Corrie! I may start borrowing that when I’m trying to explain what it’s like to start a young kid out with glasses.
By: Ann Z on June 24, 2009
at 3:08 am
You go right ahead!
I guess that one of the most important things to remember when we as parents try to get our toddlers or children used to glasses is that we are not doing it to torture them (though at times they make us feel like we are), but we are doing it because we love them and want the best for them.
By: Corrie on June 24, 2009
at 11:12 am
Thanks ladies. I know it’s only been a couple of days, but I really feel like we’re fighting a losing battle here. *sigh* He’s had them for 3 days and day one, when he first got them was WONDERFUL! Then day 2, yesterday, all heck broke loose from the moment we put them on him. It took a half hour to get them on him and they stayed on for five minutes. And the whole day continued like that. Then he broke them – bent them and popped the screw out (which subsequently got lost in the depths of the under the sofa toys and clutter). We got them fixed – thankfully, we have an optical shop on base. Then today, he wore them for a little while, still fights tooth and nail to not wear them. Then at one point got upset when we tried to put them back on him, pulled them off his face, but there was resistance b/c of the strap, and succeeded in pulling off one of the cable temples. The shop can’t fix them, so we have to take them to the other base where we got them and we have to see if they can fix them or if we have to reorder. So, in 3 days, he’s broken them twice. Fun, fun, fun, lol.
Thanks for the shoe analogy. That really puts things in perspective. I keep reminding myself he doesn’t understand and it’s going to take some time, but it can be a little frustrating. And it’s a lot to ask of a 17 month old b/c he can’t understand why he needs them. It’s definitely a work in progress.
I also had a few questions. Are cable temples and straps overkill? Should I let him wear them for a few hours each day and progressively add more time each day (if we can get him to keep them on)? He’ll wear them in spurts. He’s fine for a little while when he’s distracted. Just getting him to the point of distraction
Is fine when he’s out and about . Or is oddly fine when people other than my husband or I put them on him.
Thanks again. Love the site!
By: Rosa on June 25, 2009
at 8:20 pm
Hi Rosa, yikes, you’ve had a rough 3 days. Zoe also did better her first day, then regressed and fought her glasses the next few days. We got hers on Dec. 26, and I remember thinking that by the time she went back to daycare on the 2nd of January, surely she’d be wearing them happily. Unfortunately, it was not to be, she was still fighting them, especially when bored. I started getting wrapped up in wanting to be sure she’d wear her glasses by the 2nd, and it turned in to a power struggle where I kept putting them back on her, even when Zoe was clearly in no shape to wear them. Chris was much better with keeping his cool, and giving Zoe time without glasses in the beginning when she needed them.
I actually think both of your ideas are good ones. See what happens if you take off the strap. He’ll be able to take them off, sure, but maybe he won’t be quite as mad, and won’t break the temples. And I think going for a few hours a day and adding a bit more time is fine – have him wear them while he’s happy and distracted, and increase that time each day. We had a lot of luck with Zoe’s grandparents – they came over when she wasn’t wearing her second pair of glasses (after she’d worn glasses for over a year), and were so excited about the glasses that she wanted to wear them again.
It is frustrating. Very frustrating at times. Hopefully it will start getting a little better each day. Keep us updated and let us know how you’re doing.
By: Ann Z on June 25, 2009
at 9:21 pm
Hi Rosa, when our daughter got her glasses she was only 9 months old and she only had the cable temples, no strap, although, I think it would have been a nice thing to have. It may be that it would be good to introduce the glasses without the strap as it gives another thing to get used to and then bring in the strap later when Olli is more used to wearing the glasses. I definitely agree that glasses can be a thing to built up to. I remember I would feel sorry for Ellie getting these huge marks on her nose from wearing the glasses, that I would give her a break from wearing them in the beginning. Thankfully, she is my most obedient, adult pleasing child, so we did not go through much of a struggle adjusting to glasses. But I have an older daughter, who has to wear a hearing aid and headgear and that struggle is entirely similar to your situation.
So, I can totally understand what your little man and you must be going through. If it helps to have someone else put the glasses on him, maybe you can have a good friend of the family come by in the mornings and put them on him and tell him that he/she will come back to see if he still wears them later. At 17 months old, it is hard to comprehend or communicate much to him, but he does understand that you love him. Although you feel like you are torturing him right now, you are NOT! And it is so frustrating to deal with broken glasses, too! If you keep persevering with as much patience and love that you can come up with, he will get used to those funny things on his nose! 
And even when he can’t tell you now, he will be thankful you did later in his life!
By: Corrie on June 26, 2009
at 4:34 am
Hello…the only problem I’m having with Becca’s glasses is that they are always slipping down her nose & ive been back to get them tightened, its a shame cos she doesnt have any problems wearing them & loves showing them off to people! lol
By: Vanessa on June 25, 2009
at 11:04 pm
Hi Rosa,
It might be worth trying without the strap, but depending on the kid, cables and a strap are not overkill. I have a 5.5 month old who wears cable glasses with a velcro strap.
I’ve found it’s harder for me to remember and force myself to put her glasses on. The way I’ve started looking at it is like patching. When you need to patch, the PO prescribes a certain number of hours a day to be patched. I’ve started applying that theory to myself, that I need to put Penny’s glasses on for say 4 hours a day, and work our way up from there as she becomes more used to them. That seems to work better for us (as do glasses that are the right prescription and fit her).
Good luck! Don’t forget to take a 15 minute break if Ollie’s resisting too much. By the way, my daughter was going to be named Oliver if she was a boy =)
Nicole
By: themoneyfamily on June 25, 2009
at 11:05 pm
Vanessa,
I don’t know if she’s still doing them, but send an email to Camille over at Framehuggers.com about a strap. She was making a soft velcro strap that’s worked wonders for us!
By: themoneyfamily on June 25, 2009
at 11:10 pm