very high mypoia in toddler

[haycu22]

My 2 and a half year old was recently given a -13 prescription for both eyes.... from 3 different doctors. Are the chances high that she may completely lose her vision down the line? I also have very poor vision (-7.5 and -8.5) but hers is even worse than mine. Yet she can point out the moon during the afternoon when the sun is still completely out and saw letters on flash cards that I couldn't see without my glasses. All I could see was the blurry white rectangle of the card the letters were on. She periodically points out things that amaze me. She doesn't stumble or run into anything even when we're in unfamiliar places. I am confused. Could it also be possible for her to be able to see things that are extremely close or over 20 feet away but not in between?

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

I would take her to a pediatric ophthalmologist at Stanford for sure.  Children with such high myopia at such a young age may have other associated conditions that an optometrist will likely miss.  This is a very unusual finding and needs to be evaluated at a higher level of expertise.

HV

[haycu22]

The first doctor we took her to was an optometrist who referred us to an opthamologist. The OD said she'd be a good candidate for some testing and experiments at Stanford. The third opinion was a pediatric OD we found ourselves. We have a follow up with him next week which will include the use of Atropine... Should we do like the first OD said and try Stanford? I just don't want my little girl to be a 'lab rat'. That was mine and my husbands concern with taking her to Stanford. It is just so confusing since I myself have a high prescription and observe the things she can do and point out that seem like they would be too blurry to notice....

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

Sounds very strange.  You need to get another opinion.  Make sure you see a well respected pediatric ophthalmologist, preferrably one associated with a university program.  There would have to be good explanation why a 2 year old would have such a high myopia.

HV