6 y.o. vision prescription astigmatism

My 6 y.o. prescription strength is:
R+2.5+2.25X92
L+1.25+3.5X088
DISTANCE VISION (LIFESTYLE NEED)
POLYCARBONATE (LENSE FEATURE)
Dr said he has astigmatism since he was born but, I took it yearly to his routine check up, vision exams were made and the pediatrician never told me he had a visual problem. I noticed he gets too closed to the TV. But he doesn't squint, or complain of headaches, he's doing well in school, so I could never notice how badly he was not seen. Apparently he can't see well near or far. Questions: He plays lots of video games (daily at least 1 hr): could this make it worse? Also, will the glasses correct his vision? How accurate these exams are? Is he too late to correct it? Is there an alternative to glasses? If not: How will this "new way to see things" will affect him overall (behavior, school, adapting)?
Thank you

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. A pediatrician cannot always tell whether eye problems are present. that's why all children should be checked by an ophthalmologist about age 3.
2. Video games has nothing to do with the problem.
3. A lot depends on who did the exam. If your child was checked by a MD, physician, ophthalmologist then I would be confident it was a good exam. If it was a non MD, non physician, optometrist then I would not consider it an adequate exam and would suggest you see a Eye MD that specializes in pediatric ophthalmology. Find one near you at www.aao.org  Optoms put people in glasses about 30-40% more than ophthalmologists so some unnecessary glasses are being sold.

JCH MD

[Gerysan]

Thank you for your answer Dr Hagan, he was seen by a pediatric ophthalmologist. However, I will get a second opinion. I asked my son to read from far some small letters on the TV (from his video game) & he missed only a couple of the smallest. Also, asked him to read words very closely and he read them fine.  I am sure he needs glasses but I don't trust the presciption strengh (I'm not in denial, just trying to get my him the most accurate solution). I remember during the prep by the nurse. She used 4 different drops for dilation, but she repeaded 2 of them because she said "I think the others didn't go in well" could this had affected the test results?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

To determine if a child needs glasses it is necessary not only to dilate the pupil but to relax the focus muscle (cycloplegia). Often several sets of several drops are used.

Also your child is farsighted and those glasses often take a week or two to get use to. When first worn they can actually blur the vision until the focus muscle learns to relax.

I think a second opinion is great.

JCH MD

[Gerysan]

Thanks again, I'll post the results from the 2nd consultation. Have a great weekend!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Gerysan]

Hello, I took my son to another pediatric ophthalmologist recommended by his pediatrician. He explained a little more about what he has. And made this prescription: Agtismatigmo & hypermetropia
OD+2.00+2.5 x95
OS +1.00 +3.25 x85
I ended up using the initial strengh since I made the glasses at the 1st hospital. In their store they told me bit prescriptions as very similar and not much difference. However, yesterday he got them, when they tested him with the glasses he was seen worth than w/o them. I asked the Dr. and he said he won't evaluate him untill he's been wearing them for 1 month.
I am very concern, he's just 6. He lives in 'fantasy world' and he's just learning to read. Should I just trust what I'm told -blindly- or am I right to question "all this situation" I saw his glasses & are so thick you see blurry w/ them. My brother (who has the same) wore them & thought they were too strong too. Could it be possible that they both made a mistake & he doesn't need such a strong reading?? what can I do to convince myself that my son is REALLY GETTING THE TEATMENT HE REALLY NEEDS? Please advice!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

since you've seen two MDs and both agree he needs glasses and there's not that much difference in what they prescribed and since we said that it often takes several weeks to get use to this type of RX the answers would be yes he needs glasses, yes he should wear them yes he need to follow up with the one Eye MD you like best.

Besides that have the other kids checked also.

JCH MD

[Gerysan]

Thank you, I only have an older kid and he'll be checked this week.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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