Astigmatism in young child - Advice required

[sri2010]

Hello,

Great to observe a forum for EYE CARE.

I am from UK and my son, who is 4 years and 9 months old had recent eye check up first by optician who told us the following readings:-

Sphere - +1.5 on both eyes
Cylinder -   -2.25 on both eyes
axis - 5 on right eye and axis - 180 on left eye

Optician prescribed corrective glasses for my son.

I went to a paedeatric opthalmologist to get second opinion, who after checking told that the astigmatism is only minor. He also mentioned that as my son's sterio vision in both eyes appears to be normal and as his eyes are still developing at this young age, there would be no need for glasses.

I am a bit not clear now as to whether to go ahead with the glasses as optician has recommended (or) go by what the experienced paedeatric opthalmologist is suggesting and not go for glasses? Can someone help me and advise me on this please.

Also are there any eye care exercises which can be done to improve eye sight and get it back to normal? Are there any precautions to be taken (like - not watch TV / computer for a long time, not read books with small print etc.,)
Is there anything that can be done with the food intake to help - heard that Carrot / Spinach are good for eyes - Is that right?

Kindly request for any help/suggestion possible. Looking forward for your reply ASAP.
Your help is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

cheers
sri

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

The William Bates eye exercise are worthless. Bates was born in 1860 and died in 1931. If you want to learn more this is a decent link:  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bates_method

The eye is not like arm, chest or leg muscles. we need glasses because the eye is too long, too short or aspheric, we need reading glasses and bifocals not because the eye muscle is too weak but because the lens of the eye gets stiff and will not change shape. There are no muscle fibers in the lens.

Now exercise for the heart, lungs and musculo-skeletal system is fantastic.

For the eye: forget it. And get out jogging, walking, swimming, bicycling

JCH MD

[sri2010]

Hello Mr. John C Hagan III

Thanks a lot for taking time and sharing your thoughts on this.
I shall certainly make sure to increase lots of Carrots / spinach intake for my son.
I shall follow your advice and not worry about glasses for the time being.
I was reading on the internet about William Bates methods of eye exercising which has been mentioned as one of the ways to reduce astigmatism? I observe from your note that there are no exercises that need to be done but i am wondering is this something which we can possibly practice which could give beneficial results. If so kindly advice.

Again thanks a lot for your advice sir. Great to know that you are from the show-me state. I had been in jefferson city for couple of years and loved staying in Missouri.

Have a good day sir

cheers
sri

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

Obtaining good glasses RX on a child is very difficult, and not reliable and not reproducible in some children. That is if you send two optoms or Eye MD in to exam a child they often get different results, also if you take one optom or eye MD and have him exam a child then have him reexam the same child a second time the same day the results often vary (this is called inter observer error and intra observer error).

I would go with your child's pediatric ophthalmologist. If the vision is equal, good, and depth perception is good the glassses are usuallynot necessary.

No there are no exercises that need to be done. A good diet of fruits, vegetables, fiber and low in fats and high calorie processed carbs is all that is necessary. Carrots and especially spinach a great source of lutein are good foods for all ages.

JCH MD