5 1/2 year old seeing "dots" or "sparkles"

[MTMD]

Hello,
I am very concerned. :( MY daughter (5 1/2) has just stated complaining of seeing tiny tiny "dots" or "sparkles". They are around objects and people, not in front of them. She states they are different colors, but the colors are in patches, grouped together. She states she has been seeing them since K4 (last year). I have asked her to draw pictures of what she sees and she is very consistent.  The ophthalmologist says her eyes are fine. He suggested (if this continues) she see a pediatric ophthalmologist. I have made an appointment to see our pediatrician on Monday. I am going to take the drawings and the objects I had her draw. I would be HAPPY to e-mail you a scan of the pictures she drew, and a picture of the object she was looking at. This is really scaring me.
Thank you so much!!!!
Roy

tags: daughter vision dots sparkles spots pediatric child around tiny eye eyes problem

[KaddieKay]

A related discussion, Seeing Tiny Colourful Dots was started.

[MTMD]

A related discussion, 5 1/2 year old seeing "dots" or "sparkles" (colors) was started.

[bradyfan]

I've had what is called static vision most of my life.  You may want to do an internet search on this.  It is not a treat to the vision.  
Stress makes it worse.  It may get a little better over time, but there is no cure or understanding of it.  A lot of Doctor's don't know of it.
Best of Luck!

[Magzmom]

Becareful they will test her till the cows come home, are they telling you what they are looking for and after all the testing will it make a difference if there is nothing to do about it. Testing just for the sake of testing might be helpful to the Md.'s knowledge but at what cost to your daughters psyche Sometimes we just have to accept what the person is saying they are experiencing, just because the Md can't say why does not mean it is not happening

[MTMD]

UPDATE FROM DAD: My daughter had an MRI on Tuesday 1-2-08. We have not received the results. The tech said all looked well, no problems,  but to wait for the doctors review. Funny thing, my daughter had a fit when she saw them coming at her with an IV for sedation. After screaming and fighting the 3 techs she was finally sedated. They did the MRI. Funny thing is that as soon as she was up and around she said she was still seeing the spots and colors around things. She thought the medicine would stop them.  That makes me believe she is really seeing something. She is now scheduled for an EEG in Feb. We will then meet with her pediatric neurologist and see what he thinks.  Note: When the ophthalmologist tested her vision she is seeing perfectly. No problem reading or picking out tiny objects. She even seems to be excelling (faster than normal) in all her classes and picking up things super quick. I know that sounds odd. Thanks for all your notes!!! Roy

[Magzmom]

My daughter who is 15 has been seeing colorful sparkles around objects for most of her life when she is sick the sparkles kind of get in the way of her vision and annoy her when she is fine the sparkles seem to recede or at least be less noticable by her. We were referred to a retinal specialist who follows her now every 6 monthes since her eyes did show some abnormalities we were unaware of. Whatever is going on kids don't make this stuff up.

[ratherbeinspain]

How are your daughter's sinuses?  If they are compacted try hot showers, a nasal flush, inhaling salty water and humidifiers to free up the stuff and maybe that will reduce the symptoms.  Do you have the heat on and is it a dry heat?  Did the symptoms start in the fall when the heat started?  That might indicate a sinus connection.

[KatieP]

Hi, I know how you feel since my 8 year old has recently complained of seeing a rainbow in his eye. He has seen it just twice on the same day, once on the way to school, and once on arriving home. He describes it as just the same as an actual rainbow in terms of colour and shape, but it doesn't sparkle. Each episode lasted just 5 to 10 minutes, and it was only in one eye, since I asked him to check by closing each eye in turn. It also moved as his focus moved. I am annoying my son by asking him if it is there, and dont want to worry him. He has no other conditions of the eye or anywhere else and is fit and healthy. It is concerning me, and wonder what may be the cause.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

It could be something as simple as having a little astigmatism, or nearsightedness, or possibly a small cataract, or maybe she has visual migraines.  If she already saw ophthalmologist and looks fine then probably things will turn out ok.   Visual migraine could certainly be a possible cause but episodes last only 15-20 minutes at a time.  I would try not to make too much of a deal of it with daughter.  Just have pediatric ophthalmologist take a look at her and see what turns up.  I have 5 year old girl and I understand your concerns - when they say things like this its hard to know what is a real problem and what is just some curious thing they noticed.  As a rule - bad childhood vision problems show themselves with poor vision, or crossed eyes, or some obvious cataract, growth or abnormality that the ophthalmologist would immediately see.  Good Luck - I'm curious if this could be astigmatism or migraines or nothing.

MJK MD