Visual Impairments

     I took my 9 yo son to see optometrist (opthalmologist office said that's who we needed to see when I called to make appt.) due to vsion screen problem at school and pediatricians office.   The results of his vision exam showed he has a deficit in his left eye 20/50, and right eye is fine.  I asked if this was lazy eye, and Dr. said , "no".  Said that he needed glasses.  What is lazy eye then? 

     What infuriated me about this visit was the lack of answering my questions and the refusal to give me a copy of my sons prescription.  I asked 6 times for a copy and was ignored or the conversation redirected.  Needless to say, I left without a copy of the prescription because Dr. was with another patient and they couldn't get it ( so I was told).  I told them I would be back to pick it up.  Fortunately, I have no vision problems, so I am clueless about eye exams, glasses, anything to do with vision problems.

     I am confused about the difference between lazy eye and my son's vision problem.   Researching it online, it seems that lazy eye is when there is a deficit in one eye only- which my son has.  But the eye Dr. said that wasn't what he had.  Can anyone explain this, please?

Laura

Welcome, Laura.  I'm sorry it was a frustrating experience for you.  The term "lazy eye" is sort of a generic one and it is often used to refer to several conditions, including wandering or crossing of the eye (amblyopia or strabismus).  Since your son doesn't have that condition according to the diagnosis, he may just have a bit of near-sightedness in the one eye.  Many people have one eye that sees a bit better than the other and it is usually easily corrected with glasses.  In cases where it becomes a severe difference, one eye will dominate and the other get "lazy."  It sounds like there is nothing to worry about.  Just because you have perfect vision doesn't guarantee that your genes will win the trait in your offspring.

As for not getting a copy of the Rx...  if the eye doctor is ordering the glasses and frames, there would be no reason for them to give you a copy.  If you wanted to take it somewhere else to get it filled, then they should have handed it over. 

Barbara

        O say, can you see? Follow me to Visual Impairments      Hounds rule!      

You already got some good advice. But I will add in that you should never walk out of an office feeling like you were not listened to or ignored.

The only reason that they did not hand over the RX is that they probably didnt want you going elsewhere for the glasses.

You have the legal right to that information. You have the legal right to view his entire file. You have the right to a written explaination of the visit also.

Lazy eye has to do with the muscles of the eye not functioning properly. You would probably notice if he had this unless its very mild.

Can you get  a second opinion? Change Opthos?