At Paige's kindergarten eye exam in the summer, the doctor said that she was farsighted but that most kids are farsighted and just outgrow it. We were told to keep an eye on her and see how she does with reading.
In November, the school had their annual eye screening done by a local optometrist. It was noted that Paige had some significant farsightedness and that they wanted to see her soon. Luke's screening also came back with some failures. I checked in with their teachers and neither one said they noticed any issues in the classrooms.
So an eye doctor visit was scheduled for both kids just before Christmas. It turns out that Luke is nearsighted and needs glasses on more of a part-time basis while Paige is really, really farsighted. She will need to wear glasses all of the time and she has a pretty strong prescription.
We left the doctor's office full of lots of different emotions. Paige was thrilled to be getting glasses. She's always loved fake glasses so this was super cool to her. Luke was crying quietly in the backseat. He was less than thrilled to have to have glasses. And I was just in disbelief that they both needed them.
We went to lunch and I talked to Luke and let him know that it's not a big deal and it's for the best because they will help him see better. Paige was still just over the moon.
I spent the next 2 days wrapping my head around how they could both need glasses. It's not a bad thing whatsoever and I'm glad we know so that we can get the kids what they need because it will only help them. BUT how were Paige's eyes so bad and we didn't even know it????? As a parent I felt like I should know if my kids' needed glasses. But I didn't - not a clue! Neither has ever said anything about having difficulty seeing, but I realize that they probably (especially Paige) don't even know that the world should be so much clearer to them.
Then, I also had to grieve a little bit about it. It sounds so crazy and dumb, but I was sad that they needed glasses and at such young ages. I worry about Luke just because kids are kids and they may say something to him about having to wear them and he's at that age where unfortunately how you look starts to come into play - not a lot, but I want him to always feel confident so we will continue to encourage him to feel comfortable in his skin - glasses or not!
I am nearsighted, like Luke, and I gave him my glasses to try on when we got home after the eye doctor and whether or not my prescription is the same as his, he did notice the difference they made for him so hopefully that is reason enough for him to wear his glasses and be confident about it!
And Paige, well she's only 5! So she has a lifetime of glasses (and contacts someday) ahead of her. And while she is excited to get glasses, I think it will be a different story once they aren't just for dress-up. I also worry about how she will adapt to the glasses since her prescription is so strong. It will take some time and lots of encouraging. She did tell me "I will look a little different mommy, but that's ok because different is good". :)
They both were able to pick out their glasses. Paige had a field day trying them all on - bright pink and purple ones, cat eyes, and square ones - she could have stayed there all day. Luke grabbed a pair, put them on and said he'd take them (no messing around for him). Unfortunately, they didn't really work for his face so I had to sort of steer him in the right direction. He ultimately settled on a super cute pair! Of course I didn't tell him they were "super cute", more like he looks just like Clark Kent!
Here they are - my babes and their new glasses!
