7-yr-old OD: +0.50 sphere, OS: +3.75 X 100 degrees

[alx22]

Daughter is supposed to do occlusion therapy but patches make her break out, we've had her in neurofeedback/biofeedback therapy this summer which has helped with her anxiety level.  She has never been able to eat breakfast before school because she'll vomit on the way if she does, never outgrown it either and loves her teachers but can be insecure and greatly worries about the small stuff in life.  Let's say I've eaten a huge, huge bowl of "I nevers" in my parenting of my second child.  Psychologist says ADD, but, my problem is the thought of wearing her glasses in front of people she doesn't know is terrifying to her, she never forgets about it.  Even if a repairman shows up at the house, she is taking her glasses off.  We have three pairs that she picked and said, oh, yes, she would wear them, even at school.  The first grade teacher somehow managed to make her keep them on last year and I can do it at home, but should I look into contacts?  I am too embarrassed to follow-up with her pediatric opthalmologist because he stressed the importance of making her wear them, et cetera.  So I am embarassed to ask here, too, but what should I do??  I don't know that the half on, half off approach is doing her any good.  I think she would do great with contacts.  Is it an option?   I would like to know my options so I can lay down the law to her and stick with it and quit the bargaining of taking them off constantly.  I also have to admit that when I try and research the topic online, I am getting confused.  Her eye doesn't turn in, never has, et cetera.  What classification is she besides farsighted?  Thanks in advance.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Sounds like she is at VERY HIGH risk for amblyopia which could make her bad eye PERMANANTLY blurry.  If this is the case and she is not treated properly with glasses or contacts and patching or other occlusive treatment during childhood, then she could have permanantly bad vision in the weaker eye which most likely will never be able to be corrected if not treated properly in childhood.  Please talk to the pediatric ophthalmolgist about your concerns. In fact just print it out and send it to his office if you need to.  Your concerns are totally normal and absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.  Just don't ignore the problem, don't ask shy or ashamed to ask about it, take control and get some answers from you doctor.  If you have to, get another doctor if this one doesn't help.  Make absolutely sure that you do everything in your power get your daughter the very best possible treatment because if will affect her for the rest of her life!

MJK MD

[alx22]

Thank you for your response and I will call Nemours and set up a follow-up and follow through for her.  Thank you again.