Babies With Glasses - The site for families of babies, infants and kids with glasses

Hi..I am new here as of today.
My name is Melissa and we live in Ft Worth, TX.
My son, Zachary is 14 months old now. A couple months ago we noticed his right eye would cross occasionally so we made an appt with a pediatric eye doctor. We were not that concerned as his eyesight seemed fine. He had his appt today and the doctor said he is +5 farsighted in each eye and needs glasses immediately. We are shocked. Both my husband and I have always had perfect vision and never worn glasses so this is all foreign to us. I feel crushed and worried.

I have always thought little ones who wore glasses we so adorable and thought they looked so cute with glasses but now that it is my child I am sad for him. I am just so worried he will be teased by other children or feel so different. I know I am way over analyzing things and I know everything will be fine but it is just hard to comprehend all this..

I am glad I found this site and other parents who have been through this. I know that in time the glasses will just become part of him.

A little background on Zachary...he was born preemie 8 weeks early and luckily did not have any serious health issues. He has been healthy all but a cold/flu, etc here and there. I wonder if the prematurity has anything to do with his eyesight now? My daughter was preemie as well and has no issues. My husband took him to the doctor so he did not ask many of the questions I would have so I will be taking him to his next follow up appt.

We ordered him Flexon glasses and pick them up this Friday. Once he gets the glasses we also have to put a patch on his good eye (the one that is not crossed) for 2 hours a day to try to build it up. I have so many questions and not sure who to ask...I hate that I have to wait until his next appointment! Life is going to change a bit I guess....

It sure has helped coming here and seeing your posts and pics of all the adorable little ones in their glasses!

My Zac...

Hi Sad Mommy,
My son's name is Jack and he is 15 months and I just learned that he too needs glasses. Apparently one eye is a -4.5 and the other one not too bad but his world is very fuzzy. Im worried too and bummed he will have to be dependent on an appliance to see. My son was only 4 weeks early but very small and has been the picture of health until his pediatrician noticed a difference in his eyes. I suppose there are much worse things that could be wrong with our little ones. I am glad I found this web site. I havent bought his frames yet and am trying to find the best most durable brand. Good luck with Zac. He is sooooooo adorable. Everything will work out fine!

Hi Carissa!
Thanks for your reply. I am sorry Jack has to have glasses too. I am sure it is probably harder on us parents then it really is on them if the truth be known. Do you or Jack's daddy have eye problems? I still can't help but wonder if it may be due in some way to the prematurity. Like Jack, Zac is fine health-wise with everything else. You are so right, we are blessed, there are a lot worse things we could be dealing with! It is still hard, nonetheless.

We went to order his glasses yesterday. We went to a local place that specializes in kids glasses and they highly recommended the Flexon 90 in denim. They look really cute on him and they are VERY durable. They gave us a 3 year warranty. If anything at all happens to them it is completely free to repair for 3 years. They are super durable and flexible. I am going to get a pair (or 2) of cheap ones to use as back up...

The glasses will be ready for pick up on Friday so I guess that is the official day when the fun will start.

Good luck finding glasses, let me know what you end up getting!

Neither his father or myself have any had vision issues. I think that is why I was so suprised and kind of shocked. I was upset about it but everyone has just said - 'oh well kids are so cute in glasses.' I suppose thats all they can say but I am still bummed he's got bad eyes. I suppose I should be thankfull they can help fix the problem. I just didnt see it coming...no pun intended! He certainly doesnt act like he cant see. Im dont think there is a strong link between prematurity and amblyopia. I do know that if preemies have to be on high dose O2 that can cause severe issues and even blindness but not the refractory issues Jack and Zac seem to have. I am a physician assistant but know little about pediatric opthamology. Its all greek to me! Im still not even sure how the opthomologists determine what correction they need.
We are going to go look at frames friday. Hopefully they will have the Flexion type you recommended. You are right - much harder on mommy than on baby. Good luck!

I know what you mean about not seeing this coming! Me and my husband have never had to wear glasses, heck we have never even had our eyes dialated, etc. This is all so foreign to us. I think that makes it a little scarier...having no idea what he is going through. I get the "Oh he will look so cute in glasses" also. I am sure Zac and Jack will look just adorable but that does not make it easier to deal with for us or any less shocking. I actually cried over this yesterday..that surprised me.

I have a feeling a month or 2 from now we will feel much better about all this...once they start wearing the glasses and we get into the new routines.

Then we will be sharing ideas on how to make them keep their glasses on! That is what I am not able to fathom. It will be interesting to see how often they get lost or thrown in the toybox with all his other toys! This should be interesting!

It is so odd how much we have in common and the fact that both our boys were a little early...(their names even rhyme. LOL)

Good luck on Friday...I am sure you will find just the right glasses for Jack!

Hello Sad Mommy. I can totally relate to all you said. I joined the site today after learning that my 7 month old son, Keaton, is far-sighted and needs glasses to help his right eye that is crossing. SCARY! I too have always thought babies in glasses were adorable, but now that it is happening to my little one, well, I feel a bit sad for him too. I only hope that this helps the problem and that he gets better without surgery.

We ordered his glasses today . . . we pick them up next week and then it begins! I can't wait to try to keep glasses on a 7 month old.

I totally understand what you are going through. Good luck.