Astigmatism for children

[adamnasry]

My 6 year old son was recently diagnosed with a severe astigmatism in his right eye. He has 20/30 vision in his right eye and 20/400 in his left. He also has a slight lazy eye, according to the doctor. The doctor said that because his prescription is so severe, he wants him to wear the glasses all the time and to cover his good eye with a patch for 8 hours a day for a year and half at least, which it bothers him tremendously. Any other suggestion in this matter?
How do I get my son to wear the patch? and do you think it is too early for an astigmatism to be detected? Will his vision benefit from the glasses and the patch? Any advice on how to get him used to them? Also, should he wear them all the time?
Thank you,
A concerned parent

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

Take your child to a pediatric ophthalmologist for a second opinion. Find one at www.aao.org or ask your pediatrician to refer you.

ALL CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE THEIR VISION TESTED ABOUT AGE 3 TO PREVENT THIS LATE DIAGNOSIS OF AMBLYOPIA WHICH AFFECTS ONE OUT OF 50 CHILDREN.

JCH MD