Does my 5 yr old really need glasses?

I took my 5 yr old to an Optometrist because I wanted to make sure my child's eyes were ok after someone told me about retinoblastoma. The Optometrist said she didn't see anything and thought he was fairsighted in his left eye and referred me to an Opthalmologist. Before we went to the Opthalmologist, we had his 5 yr old exam at the pediatricians office and they said he passed the vision test. We still decided to go tot the Opthalmologist yesterday and they said my child had 20/200 vision and prescribed him glasses full time and an eye patch for 3 hrs a day. Isn't 20/200 vision legally blind?

My child has never shown any sign of needing glasses and can hit a baseball extremely well and plays all other sports well. He doesn't squint, complain of headaches or any other signs of needing glasses. He is only 5 so he doesn't read yet, so I can't use that as an example. I don't want to put my child in glasses if he doesn't need them. How can I tell if he really needs them? Are there alternatives? Also worth mentioning, neither one of his parents have bad eyesight. We both have 20/20 vision.  Am I losing my mind?

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

I would discount everything the optometrist told you..

I would take the child to a pediatric ophthalmologist for a second opinion.  Find one at www.aao.org.  If a patch was suggested then one eye must not be seeing properly and its important to follow through lest the child end up an adult with good vision only in one eye.

JCH MD

[sheriduff]

Thank you so much for writing back. I am really struggling on this. I did take him to a pediatric Opthalmologist, but he was referred to me from the optometrist that I first saw. Also, my sister took her son to this same guy and he prescribed reading glasses for my nephew and my sister took her son for a 2nd opinion and they said he didn't need them. Once the my son's vision problem was brought to my attention, I had him cover the good eye and I asked him if he could see me and he said it was blurry. I want what's best for my son, but I also don't want him to wear glasses if he doesn't have to. It broke my heart tonight when he said all the kids are going to make fun of him. :-(

What are your thoughts about the 20/200 vision they said he had. My son doesn't seem like he can't see in any way. Like I said he is extremely good at sports.

[sheriduff]

I just looked on that website and the doctor I went to isn't listed. Why is that?

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

It depends on whether the vision is uncorrected or corrected. If it can only be corrected to 20/200 then it is extremely important to get the proper glasses and use patching or some other therapy like atropine drops.

Since I think you are unsure of where you are I think a second opinion is the way to go.

Glasses are actually cool in most circles and there are kids that wear glasses with no prescription because they like the look.  I don't think it will be the big deal you think it will and even if it is you need to give your child a chance at good vision in two eyes instead of one.

JCH MD

[sheriduff]

Thank you so much for your replies. I think my child will be "cool" no matter what. :-) I think he looks great in the glasses, I just have to convince him of it. He doesn't seem to think he needs them, but he is only 5.

I will get a 2nd opinion to be sure, but I'm sure he needs them or the doctor wouldn't have prescribed them.

[sheriduff]

Oh sorry, I forgot to ask about the corrected/uncorrected. I'm not sure what you mean. This is the first time he went to the doctor and that is what they said his vision was. They said one eye was fine, but it was the other one that had problems. I do remember him saying that he hoped to get his vision to a 20/30.

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

Good luck. You sound like a great mom.

JCH MD

[sheriduff]

Thank you so much! Just curious, but where r u? It's 11 pm and you are writing back so quickly. This is the best website! :-) You have put my mind at ease.

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

Right now I'm in Mexico, Missour visiting my mother in law and planning on going to the Missouri University-Nevada football game tomorrow. GO TIGERS.

JCH MD