UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi all,

Do you think i should worry or would you worry?
I took my 3 children for a eye test at the same opticians that i use.
My 2 girls vision was great but my youngest Arron has a slight astigmatism! my optician told me that this was fine and alot of people have it.
I realise it nothing to worry about but i thought i would share it and get a opinion.

Promise never to mention it again if i am being over the top

Anne

Anne,

I think considering you have KC you are entitled to be concerned.

My Gemma is very slight short sighted and very slight astigmatism, she does not wear glasses but we are glad it ha been picked up.

She has had trouble seeing the board and the description of what she gave was similar to my early exoperience of KC. We just get her checked out for piece of mind which I think every parent is entitled too.

At the end of the day I thik it is nice to be aware of any sight problems, then at least we can start to deal with any issues much earlier (that is if things were to progress) and avoid many of the stresses we have gone through ourselves and diagnoses was a long time coming.

A worry to a point about Gemma but only do something about it if it appears to be causing her concern like the problem she has seeing certain coloured pens on a white board. I do take comfort in the fact KC (to me anyway) is easier to diagnose and treat than it was 20 years ago.

Hope this helps.

Gareth

I agree with what Gareth says and as a parent you have a right to be concerned especially as you have an eyesight problem.

I would try not to worry about it too much, the optometrist knows about you so they can check this out with your children.

Take it easy and it is ok to come here and post about it!!

Sweet X x X

all parents have a duty to be concerned about their children, but this is not the same as becoming consumed with worry about things that may never happen.

It is not uncommon for children to present with an astigmatism. Your daughter may just be showing a normal childhood devekopment.

but, and here is where I agree with both my beters above, you do have KC, and you know some of the things that can go wrong with eyes. If I were you I'd pop along to the GP and tell her or him about the eye test and ask if (s)he things an ophthalmological referral is indicated. The chances are the GP will be able to put your mind at rest.

All the best

Andrew.

Anne...

Slight astigmatism is very VERY common. The three children I saw today all had it! It is something that can come and go as children develop and at this stage no-one at all could say if it was indicative of future problems with KC.

To be honest, even if you asked your GP at the moment, he/she wouldn't know if there is a problem unless your optom sent him a report, as your GP cannot test eyes and would have no basis for a referral!

Did you discuss your worries with your optom? If not, its is good idea to do so and take the advice given by the professional who has actually examined your childs eyes. I presume you have a regular check up scheduled for your children, so any changes will be monitored.

Its hard having a condition like this in the family but what I can gather from what you say is that the refraction is within the normal range of child development. No-one can stop a parent worrying though!

Take care!

Lynn

Thanks for the advice.

Lynn, I did talk to my optician and she said the same as you, but its nice to hear it from someone else.
Yes my children have regular check ups. So no need to think about it for another year, i will have to find something else to worry about now!

Hehe looks like you are as bad as i am for worrying! Am glad that you can let it go for a year, things will be fine.

Take care, Sweet X x X

Hi Anne

I'm another worry wart mum, and also like you I have a very good and understanding optician. We wouldn't be very good parents if we didn't constantly have something on our minds about our kids would we? But the trick is keeping everything in perspective - something I haven't quite got the hang of yet. You know all you can do is make sure they are examined regularly and try to put it out of your mind but it's easier said than done isn't it?

Take care, Alison