Can't read...
Or just too lazy to read?
I struggled with my eldest, now 8, when he was just in kindergarten and starting to learn how to read. He made excuses and did not want to try harder.
Back then, you would see our room full of sight words printed on white paper and pasted on our walls. We try to read every moment we get. I love reading and I know the benefits and the joys that come with it. So I naturally, I would want our children to be wide readers too.
However, I noticed that when we were doing his homeworks and I asked him to read from the book, he would squint his eyes and would bring his face closer to the book. He was five then.
It was a pedia visit for my daughter who had been sick for a couple of days already. But then I thought, I needed to ask the doctor what he thinks about my eldest's eye condition.
"Doctor, he does not want to read. He says he can't see. I think he is just making excuses." I told the doctor.
The doctor asked him to stand at up and identify the objects from the eye chart, alternately covering the eyes. The images were the same, just of different sizes.
We noticed that while he was able to name the objects when bigger, we was not able to do the same when shown a smaller picture.
He is not lying.
So he suggested that we see a pediatric ophthalmologist.
Image SourceLo and behold! The check up was completed and the doctor deduced he had lazy eye, far sightedness, and astigmatism!
Here's his "conservative" prescription:
| Sphere | Cylinder | Axis |
|---|---|---|
| R +3.00 | -3.50 | 178 |
| L +2.25 | -2.50 | 5 |
I say conservative because this is the initial prescription, and so as not to cause "abrupt" changes to my son's vision. The doctor said that he will gradually change the prescriptions on the succeeding check ups.
Lazy Eye or Amblyopia
Lazy eye is a condition wherein the brain ignores the blurry images that come from the weak eye. If it goes on for a longer while and gets untreated, then the vision on the blurry eye will get worse.
I found an article from WebMD on this topic which you may want to read here.
The Eye Patch. Treatment
My son, apart from the glasses, was also asked to wear an eye patch over the better eye for a few hours during the day - particularly on instances when the eyes need to work like when reading or using the ipad even. This way, the lazy eye will get trained to "work" again.
He used the patch for 3 months until our next check up. Every time, the prescription changes and we had to change the lenses! Oh, very expensive... considering our health insurance did not cover optical treatments.
Currently, my son's glasses have the following power (we actually need to pay his eye doctor a visit soon):
| Sphere | Cylinder | Axis |
|---|---|---|
| R +3.25 | -3.70 | 175 |
| L +2.25 | -3.00 | 180 |
They say children's eyesight need to be checked at 6 months, 3 years and then every 2 years while at school.
I personally believe this needs to be followed by parents especially if we see negative changes on children's studies and on their health in general. Had I not seen the signs early on and just kept on doubting my son, he may not have turned out to be an enthusiastic reader he is today.
Nice nanay..that's kind of hard esp. when they couldn't tell what is the problem.
True, lola. Nakaka bother kapag may napansin kang kakaiba sa mga anak mo at ciempre hindi naman nila ma-express ng maayos yung nararamdaman nila.
Yeah..mabute nga napansin mo. Siguro nga ang nanay, talagang ganyan.
Thank you for sharing this. I didn't know what a lazy eye was until this post.
me too, I did not know it until we experienced it. It is normally reversible through eye patches, however best if treated early on like before the age of 7.
Thank you. Will keep this in mind.
Its a good thing you figured out what was wrong with him on time lest his both eyes may have been lost. Parents should learn to be more attentive to their children or wards and not dismiss their complaints as childish whining.Great post
Thank you @diamondgirl. At one point I really thought it was all drama. However it became too consistent to ignore. Yes, us parents need to be more responsible for the well being of our kids. Especially when they are still small and cannot really express what they mean.
Cheers,
❤ @arrliinn
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You are exemplary when it comes to #philippines and #tilphilippines. Paying intention to kids takes some skill. I didn't fully because of a rush and poor health but i got the gist. Let me hurry.
Raising 3 wonderfully smart kids is a source of daily inspiration too. 😉Oh thanks, @surpassinggoogle for appreciating. There are lots of things that we learn from our daily lives and I'd like to share mine, thinking that others will learn from them too or simply get pleasure from reading them.
Yes! Let me say a bit speechless on this cos i may write a post here. I will just flex my self control a bit instead
Oops! I will leave it at that then. 😉
Great, just found you live in Abu Dhabi, I went to your Abu Dhabi airport this month twice. An amazing city.
Yes, it truly is! We have been here for 12 years, pretty much a home to us already...
Hope you had a great time here. You came on a summer month. Hehe
He might not show enthusiasm towards reading at young age but there is a possibility that he will find reading interesting if he's found interesting topics later in his adolescence :)
Hi @asbonclz! Yes, he actually now loves to read about science- the planets and the universe, and facts and trivia about animals to be exact. I also let him read comic books so he can get entertained with the pictures!
It is good that you scheduled an appointment with the doctor. I also wear glasses that can correct my vision.
Yes @frankydoodle! I saw he was almost kissing the book when he reads. That was not normal. 😅
Once again great article! Marami akong natutunan
mami! :)
Glad to hear @shellany! 😊
Tandaan mo ha, for your future kiddos. Spot the signs!
Nice blog..
Learned new today. Cute graphics as well. :)
Thank you @zararina!
Thank you @steemiteducation
Oh shame so sorry. Thanks for a very nice post.
Thanks @bigbear! 😉