Thursday, December 31, 2009

Eye Examination

I brought the kids to Optimax for their (long overdue) eye examination on Tuesday. Although XY didn't show any symptoms, I thought it'd be good to just check and make sure there's really nothing to be concerned about. They watch too much tv since young and both parents are "four-eyed", so I'm a little bit paranoid. :D

I made appointment for both kids although I'm not sure how the boy would react at the clinic. But surprisingly, he was very eager to get his eyes checked when he saw jie jie with those "special gadgets". He must be fascinated with the equipments. When the ophthalmologist (Dr Y) was checking jie jie with the eye chart, he read out the alphabets on the wall. What a busybody! hehehe Then he can't wait to climb onto the chair to "read the alphabets".

When jie jie was being checked, it was very difficult to keep him out of the room. He didn't want to stay outside with Kakak. Even snacks didn't help so I had to carry him near the door, at an angle where he can't see the projection on the wall. Sigh... it was quite chaotic, especially when Dr Y was trying to explain the results to me. The kids were touching the lenses, the slit lamp machine, climbing up and down the chair. It was really hard to concentrate on the conversation when you're worried the kids may break something. Arrrgh!

The results :
XY ~ She's got myopia (shortsightedness) of 25 degrees for each eye and astigmatism (left -0.75 and right -1.00). Her myopia's quite mild but because of her astigmatism, she cannot see the smaller prints very clearly. It can be corrected with glasses. But Dr Y said I can still wait and continue to monitor her. If she has problems seeing the white board in class, then she'll probably have to wear glasses. Not wearing glasses now will not cause further damage so we'll just wait and see.

CE ~ His right eye is weaker than his left. Dr Y commented that at his age (when the eyes are not fully developed yet), both eyes should be EQUALLY good or bad. She's worried the weaker eye will become a lazy eye. But it's still too early to tell. Will have to bring him in for a follow-up examination 6 months later. I'm wondering if it's a good idea to use an eye patch (if the boy allows it). Dr Y didn't suggest that and I forgot to ask her.

At the meantime, I'm definitely not allowing close range activities for too long without any break like playing computer games and electronic games. And when they watch tv, have to make sure they don't go too near. I really hope they won't have serious vision problems later on.

This will be my last post for the year. And I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very...
H a p p y N e w Y e a r !

26 comments:

Anggie's Journal said...

happy new year to u too ..... yah .... is good to bring the kids to have eye examination ... i plan to bring Jeremy too ... he been watching TV alot and very near even we always scold him ...:(
hope ur kids dun hv any serious eye matters... so troublesome to wear spec at such young age !!

Reanaclaire said...

i think it is still fine... 25 degrees is quite normal considering her age.. yes, dont go so near and don't turn on volume too loud as well.. heard too high volume is not good for kids.. :)

andrewjune said...

hope they dont hv to wear glasses...cos it's quite troublesome when they go for sports or outdoor activities...

here's also wishing you & your lovely family a HAPPY 2010!

Angeline said...

Oh Slavemom,
same worry dear, same worry!!!

I did 3-4 posts just on this issue. About how worried I am that my boys will be INCREDIBLY short sighted like their Mommy. (Almost 1000 on EACH side.)

Thank you for letting me know that if they don't wear glasses now, it will not do further damage... That's great news...

'cos I'm waiting to see if Keatkeat can see the whiteboard when he goes Primary 1 in 3 days time.

Angeline said...

Ooops!
See lah! I'm so into the topic, forgot to say this:

Here's Wishing you and your wonderful family an Awesome, Laughable and Healthy 2010!!!

wenn said...

happy new year!

Fussy mum said...

Yeah, nowadays kids watch too much TV. Both hubby and I wear specs too. Maybe I shld bring sharlene for an eye examination as well.

Here's wishing you and your family a splendid 2010!! :D

Mummy Gwen said...

Gwen's left eye is weaker than her right eye too. Yeah..too much TV and computers are not good for the eyes.

Happy New Year To YOu and Your Family Too!!

Annie Q said...

Happy New Year to you and your family!! May the new year brings you happiness, wealth, good health and joy!

bp said...

happy new year to you, too, Slavemom! i hope the eye concerns will correct themselves, so XY and CE won't need glasses or an eyepatch.

coffeesncookies said...

Happy New Year 2 you and your family. I didn't know Optimax does eye checks. I thought they are specialized in laser treatments ?

Lee said...

Hi Slavemom, happy new year and the very best of 2010 to you and family.
Regret to read XY has abit of eye problem. Hope it'll be okay soon.
Best regards, Lee.

Health Freak Mommy said...

This reminds me that I have to bring my #2 to the opthalmologist coz of late, she keeps blinking her eyes :S

Happy new year to your and yours!

Rose world said...

Happy New Year!!

Nowadays most kids wear glasses.....as young as 2 years old.

Priscilla said...

Happy New Year!! :)

LittleLamb said...

Since what age u bring ur kids for eye examination? i m paranoid too la..


Happy New Year 2010 and Best Wishes to you.

Chinneeq said...

good that u brought them to check. at least now the result can put your mind at ease and u know how to deal with next.

happy new year to you and wish u an exciting year ahead!

wen said...

i think its abt time to bring my kids for eye examination again. i am worried abt my boy coz he played a lot of games during hol.

BoeyJoey said...

Ooo... I haven't started brouging my kids for eye check yet... should do it one of these days.

Happy 2010 to you and your family :-)

Unknown said...

Happy New Year! And may 2010 be a great year for us all. :P

Adrine said...

I never thought of bringing kids for early eye check. Thx for sharing! I'll take note of that since both hubby and I wear specs too.

Happy New Year to you and your family :)

Dora said...

It's good to bring the kids to get their eyes checked & glad that they are ok.

Happy New Year 2010 to u Slavemom & your family!

Irene said...

yeah, kids nowadays everyday glued to the idiot box. our part time nanny mah that box! hahaha! i wear specs, so i really pray hard lil missy tak ikut me. worried!

slavemom said...

Angeline, oh u misunderstood me. When I said it will not do further damage, I meant in XY's case. Coz her myopia is vy little n astig is quite mild. But if the child has quite a hi degree of myopia, he/she will need to wear specs (depending on dr's advice). If not, I think it'll lead to oth probs like squinting. Hope KK has no probs reading the whiteboard.

Rachel, this is their 1st time. If u dun c any symptoms like constant blinking, squinting, hold books vy near to read, go vy near the tv, etc, I guess u can wait till 3 yo. This is jes my opinion. If there's a serious prob, early detection is crucial for full recovery.

jacss said...

i think it's pretty normal & high chances that kids need glasses due to the early & frequent exposure to PC & TV...me worry for mine too.
some more if both parents 4-eyed, lagi...
but the lazy eye need to monitor lar :(
eh, would u ever consider lasik ahh, i'm so tempted but later after i settle down first lar :D

牛五花Orange said...
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