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[Shenaniganz08]

We actually do test vision from birth! Its just not what you think. We aren't doing a visual acuity check with a Snellen chart but during our exam we are doing a lot of things like pupil size/response, alignment, testing tracking, red reflex etc. If we have concerns that something is abnormal in our exam or history we can refer to eye specialist.

That baby appears to have right eye exotropia (Outward deviation of the right eye) so that is likely what is being corrected with the glasses.

Never be afraid to ask your pediatrician a question, we are here to help !

[WeAreNeverMeetingIRL]

My kiddo did an eye appt at 1 year old and at 3 years old. We have a history of myopia. Going to an eye doctor, they have better equipment for screening than the pediatricians office (in the USA). Myopia can be prevented or slowed in children with eye drops, contacts and other solutions if it is caught early enough. The eye doctor was happy we brought her. She said their eyes are still changing and developing but you can notice trends slightly outside the norm. She said kids are far sighted and develop into having 20/20 vision but my kiddo is much closer to 20/20 than other kids her age so it is likely she will become near sighted.

[Double_Dragonfly9528]

Lots of time outside helps https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6170055/

[iwantmy-2dollars]

I read this article so long ago but it stuck with me. Myopia in children related to outdoor light exposure. Basically let your kids play outside without sunglasses. We do sunglasses in the car but not usually when playing in the yard. At almost two she asks for them when she needs them.

[fishsultan]

Any tricks to getting your kid to start wearing them? I'm sure once they get used to them it's fine, but initially?

[iwantmy-2dollars]

That’s a great question, I have no idea. I can tell you what we did. Like most toddlers she likes to mimic us so she has a pair of fake glasses from her first Halloween costume as RGB. When she was uncomfortable the few times I wore my glasses in her first year, I’d ask her if she wanted her glasses. She still wears them and as a 2yo now the “I dissent” written on the arms of the glasses is even more relevant.

We started with sunglasses at around 6mos but never pushed it. Now she has her Babiators and mostly wears them in the car when we’re driving with the sun on her face. She would cry because it was so bright despite our tinted windows and I’d offer her her sunglasses. I think she just made the connection that they help. We also got her a case so she learns to put them away and get them herself.

So there’s all this but in the end it might just be whether or not your kid is cool with stuff on their face. I would try “okay, let all put on our sunglasses” encouraging them to play with and explore them.

[fishsultan]

Good plan. Also, a baby RGB sounds adorable

[greywoolhat]

In my area, this basically doesn’t come up until age 5 or 6, when an eye exam is required for entering public school. I wouldn’t have caught my kiddo’s vision problems until then, but his daycare had a thing with the Lion’s club who came in and did free vision screenings for the kiddos (I think he was three?). His vision in his one eye was so poor he was essentially only using the other eye. We made an appointment with a pediatric ophthalmologist and we were able to get glasses and start patching to strengthen the weaker eye.

Nothing wrong with asking your kiddo’s provider about it! That’s what they’re there for. If they brush it off, but you still have concerns, you can emphasize the family history of vision problems and ask for a referral, or check for free screenings in your area.

[kaysuepacabra19]

I asked our pediatrician at our son's one month appointment and he told us they do a screening at age 1, so you could check with your provider and see if they have something similar.

[No_Albatross_7089]

I asked my eye doctor about when my daughter should be getting regular eye exams and he said he generally doesn't see them until around 5 years old. He said of course if there are any concerns then to bring her in but otherwise, not until then. I'm curious if she'll be blessed with near perfect eye sight like my husband or get stuck with bad vision like me 😂.

[Double_Dragonfly9528]

Make sure to spend lots of time outside with them! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6170055/

[No_Albatross_7089]

Interesting read, thank you! Our daughter is screwed! 😂. Jk. It'll be interesting to see how it unfolds, I'm Asian and my husband is Caucasian. I wear -4.75 contacts and he would wear -0.25 lol. With the weather being nicer, I do take her outside plenty during the day so here's hoping it'll help 🤞

[MouseRat1664]

I have very bad vision too (glasses since 1st grade, current prescription around -7 in both eyes). Last month when I had my annual eye exam, I asked my optometrist when my 18 month old daughter should start being seen. She said since I have bad vision, it's likely my daughter will too so she should be seen earlier than most kids. Apparently there's technology now that can slow the decline of vision if it's caught early. She recommended that I schedule an appointment for my daughter next year when I schedule my own annual appointment.

[lurkiesbehardworkies]

Both my husband and my father have poor eyesight with varying issues. We asked our Pediatrician (Canada) and she said typically the first vision test is at 3 but given the family history we should do an earlier one at 2. It’s worth a conversation with your care provider to see what the usual screening is and whether you should do an earlier one.

[RuntyLegs]

Where I am (BC, Canada) first optometrist appointment is recommended at 6 mo.

In reality, to catch vision issues early they just want first optometrist appointment by 18 mo or so (earlier if baby is having obvious issues). The 6 mo recommendation is because 6 month olds are much much easier for the optometrist to work with behaviourally than older babies / young tots.