Friday, January 18, 2013

Four Eyes.

A few months ago, we noticed that Liam was squinting when he watched tv. Our couch is only about 10ft away from our 40-something-inch tv, so we knew it was something we should keep an eye on. He would relax as he moved around the room, but the second he looked at the tv, his eyes would scrunch up:


I made a call to our pediatrician & he said that with him still being so young, Liam couldn't read the basic eye chart that they keep in the office-- instead, they recommended we make an appointment with a pediatric ophthalmologist. Our appointment was today.


Don't let that happy face fool you. The appointment was NOT FUN. (He was happy before it started and after it was over.) I gave Liam a pep talk about the eye doctor & even tried to show him a YouTube video about it. I told him he'd be getting some eye drops and that it might tickle but it would be over quickly. We talked about how the doctor would shine a light in his eyes to take a look. He repeated what I said & I thought we were good.

(For anyone wondering, HOW exactly do you examine a toddler's eyes? The eyes are dilated, then the doc shines a light into the eyes and is able to tell if the child is nearsighted, farsighted, or has astigmatism based on the reflection. Different lenses are held in front of the eye and the one that corrects the reflection is the right prescription.)

The eye drops? I had to pin him down while the nurse forced his eyes open. The lights in his eyes? He started crying hysterically and clamped his eyes closed. When she tried to hold lenses up to his eye to look, he tried to smack her hand away. She had to call a nurse in to help hold him still. It was traumatizing for all of us.

BUT, I'm glad we went, because mama guessed it-- He's nearsighted & has astigmatism in both eyes. Nothing severe,  but enough that he needs glasses.

WHY aren't there more options for toddler glasses?! 

There are a million options for kids' glasses but very few for babies/toddlers beyond colored wire rim & flexible rubbery frames. We tried on a few pairs today and decided that subtle was NOT the way to go... If he's going to wear glasses, he's going to rock them!! Check out this cool dude:

A little too big, but you get the point.

See what I mean?
Dork (ok, the expression may have something to do with it) vs. hipster adorable.


 The frames in the pics are several sizes too big so I'm on the hunt to find something similar in the right size. I hit up several local places this afternoon with no luck, but tonight I found these:

 

The frames are more oval than square, but the size should be just right & the cable earpieces are great for toddlers! I think I'll probably order them without lenses so that Liam can try them on, then get the lenses here if we're committed! They'll take a few weeks to come in-- we just need to order as soon as possible because we have a follow up appointment in 8 weeks.

I'll be sure to post pics of the bespectacled boy once we get them!


6 comments:

  1. WHY Are these kids so crazy at appointments?!? I'm sure Trey would have been the same. It's like he gets "ants in his pants" anywhere that I need him to behave like a normal member of society rather than what he is, a small hyena.

    I will say Liam looks SO HANDSOME in his glasses, you did a good job with those mama!! xoxo

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  2. Despite all the appointment drama (I think that EVERYONE with kids goes through that!), I absolutely love his glasses! They are adorable. :)

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  3. Oh Stef! He looks adorable!

    Confession: I used to REALLY want a toddler who needed glasses because I think they are so cute. Of course, thinking about the reality of the doctor's appointments and getting a kid to actually WEAR glasses makes me rethink that.

    He's going to rock them!

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  4. Love the glasses! I can't wait to see them on Liam. Good catch mama. You should be proud.

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  5. That side-by-side picture made me giggle. Good choice on the hipster glasses! And yes, pedi optho appointments are such a pain!

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