I took both my sons for eye checkup to a good eye hospital yesterday. I do these routine checkups every year. Now, this place takes a little time because they do the testing once with their microscope and then there is a consultation with the Eye Specialist. Kids are a different ball game when it comes to eye testing. They will squint, they will blink, they will do everything except stay steady. And, it requires professionals who are specially trained to engross them in conversation and get them to do what they are supposed to. This was Gautam’s first eye test since he turned 5 last year. Sid has been doing it every year now as per the recommendation for kids. Gautam was quite amused because he was asked to steadily look at the parachute in the machine.
When he was reading letters, it was quite amusing. The tester was giving him marks for reading each line correctly to motivate him to read. Sid is more grown up, so his conversation revolved around cricket and football. I was reminded of a time when I was very young around Gautam’s age perhaps. In those days, I was taken to Asia’s biggest eye hospital in Sitapur. My parents took me for eye check up there, and I remember being fascinated by various machines that had cartoons. I was supposed to put lion in the cage and other activities around these colorful cartoons. This was my first experience with cartoons, nothing new for today’s kids, and I was super excited to be doing everything they asked me to. I got glasses at a very young age when I was in the first standard, and I still remember the incessant teasing. So, I would promptly take the glasses off when I entered the classroom and put them back on when school got over because big sister would have then seen me and reported it to mom. And, the most daunting question for a child, even more daunting than, “Which looks brighter — red or green?” is which lens is better? This or that? And, the doctor would take one lens out with a flourish and replace, and then give you an expectant look. I would have no clue, as both seemed the same. I still have trouble figuring out which lens makes me see better :).
I also remember this funny incident that happened when I was taken for eye testing. This doctor was trying out different numbered lenses, but I was able to see all the letters irrespective of the number. He was thoroughly bemused. He tried everything and then told my parents. They were amazed too. Then my mom figured it out. I had mugged up the letters and was just saying them without seeing them. She made them put Hindi letters, and I was caught when asked to read :). Even now I know what letters are there DHLEN CTPALO … :). They really should be changing their boards. Kids are always up to mischief and ingenious in their pranks. Now, I don’t know if my son is going to get ideas after reading this post. But, I guess I am smarter than him anyway ;-).
Image courtesy: Freedigitalphotos.net
A model mom you are Rachna:) The bit about your mugging the lines tells the story of your ingenuity from early days!Nice reading
Arre nahin, nothing model about me. I am just as mischievous as them but have to put up a serious demeanor :). Thank you for your kind words, anyway.
He he that is indeed ingenious.
As my son has to have a test every 6 months, I know how difficult it is for the technicians to keep kids entertained. And he was so small when he started wearing specs that he did not know how to handle it. Now it is better. No one can tease him anymore. He shows off his specs to the fullest. 😛
I can understand. When very young, I used to get up in the morning, sit on the potty seat and promptly drop my glasses in the commode. This must have happened to many pairs. I remember my mom putting a large rubberband to keep the glasses in place and to prevent them from falling. Besides, being young I used to resist wearing spectacles, as I would stand out among other kids. These days, every other child has specs, and they are so stylish as well :).
I can imagine how difficult it would be with kids, because sometimes, even I get so mixed up with which lens I can read better!
Absolutely true! They must be really slow and 0.25 number, come on it is difficult to understand what is what.
And I’ve always wanted to wear specs. Each time I visit the optometrist, insisting I need specs, I come back disappointed.
You can always have the unnumbered ones. I had a friend who did that. I love the specs these days. They are trendy. And, I have become so lazy that I hardly wear my lenses anymore.
Yes, you can get them without the prescription glasses… just regular glasses I guess.
hahaha..mugging up the letters is really smart!
and wow you take your sons for a yearly check up? how soon should you start the routine test?
I had a fascination for specs and wanted to wear one for a long time. Only later I realised how fortunate I am in not needing one 🙂
Yes, you are supposed to take them for routine checks every year from the time they turn 5. With all the reading, computer games, tablet etc. that they have these days, their eyes are pushed to the limits anyway. I actually wasn’t too bothered and later I got lenses, so it hardly mattered.
Like you I too get confused when they ask me which lense is better, they all seem equally vague or equally alright, though I have never mugged any of them. Only after 48, I felt i needed glasses to read, even now i can read well in good day light, it is only the very small letters that fails me.
I have to go for a check up, I am waiting for a good deal.
hehe They do seem equally vague. Good for you. Keep up the good eyesight.
Btw, I saw RGB in your comments section.
Hi, RGB, welcome back.
Hahaha….mine is the same case as yours. wearing glasses from god knows when? Good that you mugged up all the lines. I wanted to do it every time, but could never succeed. That part is so true about changing the lense. Which is better? This or that? Man, it takes few minutes or at least few seconds to register what you have just seen. They switch n ask even before the character enters the brain…And those of you without glasses, don’t ever want one…you are blessed…:)
So true! Perhaps, they can ask the patient about the right technique to make a person read while testing :).
I didn’t need glasses until I was studying for my A levels … it was more for eye strain and once the intense studying stopped so the glasses were abandoned … until I was in my late 40s. Now I wear them all day at work and when I am reading at night. Although I can still manage perfectly easily in the bright natural light of the afternoon.
Good for you, Jane!
Even now when they try different lenses I am unable to say which is better as they all look alike.
Doctors have a way of dealing with kids.It is an amusing post and brought smile many times
Thank you KP, Sir!
An interesting post Rachna! I am reminded of Rachel’s Kindergarden graduation where she read a paragraph so fluently – holding the book upside down!!
🙂
hehe That was funny! Kids are amazing :).
🙂 Smart but what to do when those letters seem similar even when changing lenses 🙂 I wore glasses for a couple of years just for the fun of it!
Yeah, most times they do because the difference in power is miniscule, and it does not seem to register on the brain.
About the folly if you speak to me I did that in a recent eye camp held in the office. I have normal sight and this time however I mugged up those letters there before I sat down for the test. I could figure out all the alphabets keeping my left eye closed but when I tried the same with the other eye closed it was a little hazy. Thank god it was just a result of the closing that eye hard. My sight is still normal. I love those anti glare spectacles and have a pair on while I sit in front of the computer.
That’s cool!
About the folly if you speak to me I did that in a recent eye camp held in the office. I have normal sight and this time however I mugged up those letters there before I sat down for the test. I could figure out all the alphabets keeping my left eye closed but when I tried the same with the other eye closed it was a little hazy. Thank god it was just a result of the closing that eye hard. My sight is still normal. I love those anti glare spectacles and have a pair on while I sit in front of the computer.
About the folly if you speak to me I did that in a recent eye camp held in the office. I have normal sight and this time however I mugged up those letters there before I sat down for the test. I could figure out all the alphabets keeping my left eye closed but when I tried the same with the other eye closed it was a little hazy. Thank god it was just a result of the closing that eye hard. My sight is still normal. I love those anti glare spectacles and have a pair on while I sit in front of the computer.
About the folly if you speak to me I did that in a recent eye camp held in the office. I have normal sight and this time however I mugged up those letters there before I sat down for the test. I could figure out all the alphabets keeping my left eye closed but when I tried the same with the other eye closed it was a little hazy. Thank god it was just a result of the closing that eye hard. My sight is still normal. I love those anti glare spectacles and have a pair on while I sit in front of the computer.
About the folly if you speak to me I did that in a recent eye camp held in the office. I have normal sight and this time however I mugged up those letters there before I sat down for the test. I could figure out all the alphabets keeping my left eye closed but when I tried the same with the other eye closed it was a little hazy. Thank god it was just a result of the closing that eye hard. My sight is still normal. I love those anti glare spectacles and have a pair on while I sit in front of the computer.
About the folly if you speak to me I did that in a recent eye camp held in the office. I have normal sight and this time however I mugged up those letters there before I sat down for the test. I could figure out all the alphabets keeping my left eye closed but when I tried the same with the other eye closed it was a little hazy. Thank god it was just a result of the closing that eye hard. My sight is still normal. I love those anti glare spectacles and have a pair on while I sit in front of the computer.
About the folly if you speak to me I did that in a recent eye camp held in the office. I have normal sight and this time however I mugged up those letters there before I sat down for the test. I could figure out all the alphabets keeping my left eye closed but when I tried the same with the other eye closed it was a little hazy. Thank god it was just a result of the closing that eye hard. My sight is still normal. I love those anti glare spectacles and have a pair on while I sit in front of the computer.
About the folly if you speak to me I did that in a recent eye camp held in the office. I have normal sight and this time however I mugged up those letters there before I sat down for the test. I could figure out all the alphabets keeping my left eye closed but when I tried the same with the other eye closed it was a little hazy. Thank god it was just a result of the closing that eye hard. My sight is still normal. I love those anti glare spectacles and have a pair on while I sit in front of the computer.
Rachna,
It is so good that you are taking care of their eye check ups. Had a good laugh at what you did when young. I got glasses after I was 40. Before that I used to fox the doctor conducting eyes test when he asked me to read the last line on chart, I used to say Batliwala and Batliwala. It used to take them some time to catch on that I was rattling out name of printer of the chart given in small print at the bottom. It was such a fun.
Take care
hehe That was a funny incident Jack uncle :).
Being an early myopic bird, I have had encounters with the optometerists circa 1978. Once I discovered my dioptres, I’d cheat sometimes to get the numbers down. You have already quoted the English chart, here is the Hindi one for you: ‘Ra Ta Pa Na Ga Ta.” Does it ring a bell? In my case they had to use the third option -circles with a cut on their periphery -where is the cut please? Up/down/left/right? Of course, I was caught!
So nice of you to have taken your kids for routine check ups. Both of my daughters need glasses now.
hehe It does ring the bell. They always figure a way out to get around the mischief of kids. Today’s kids are voracious readers and have so many eye-straining activities to engage them. I am just ensuring that they get the glasses as soon as they have the number. Prolonging it makes matters worse for the eyes.
ha ha mugging up the letters, that’s sheer genius. I admit, I didn’t know about the routine check-ups but now that you have put it I will take my son too.But he is 4, should I wait?
You begin after your child completes 5 years that is what the doctors say. With kids being glued to so many gadgets these days, I think this is important.
I am the only one in the family who doesn’t need glasses. I wear the glasses mostly for camouflaging the divergent eye. It is good that your kids have escaped the glasses trap. Vinni got them when he was just five.
I always wondered about kids mugging up the chart though mine were too seedhe to try the trick you did 🙂 And moms! Aren’t they smart, you included? 😀
Yes, so far they haven’t got a number. Even if they do, it is fine I guess. I actually like wearing specs. I hardly ever wear my lenses.
you are really a diligent mother..I am also wearing glasses from the age of 14..
Thank you Renu.
lol!!!! I used to memorize the lines to read them wrongly–I was so desperate to get specs and I did when I did not even need it. Consequence, today I actually need it. Aah doesn’t do good to cheat your docs!
hehe right! I guess I did it innocently and also no small child wants to wear specs.
I have been wearing mine since a long long time now ..
you are smart 🙂
and here the docs are veyr good a eye check takes at least 40minutes because it not just the letter on the wall that you are made to read , a few other tests are done to actually find out what your eyesight is ..
Bikram’s
Here too. The eye test involves computer testing as well as reading since a long long time. For kids it takes even longer than 45 minutes.
even i use to blink on and off while they say to be steady….:)
an interesting write up…:))
haha you used to that too :).
LOL! Mothers are always smarter than the kids!! 😀
Aaryan is wearing specs since he turned 5, and whenever the doc asks this question, “Which is better… this one or that one??” I am always wondering, if my baby is able to tell the right one!! Thank God, they do get the computerized number too, after the manual one and this satisfies me completely!! 😀
Yes, that computerized number does make their job easier. But, kids sometimes do not open their eyes well and blink that could interfere with the validity of the reading. I guess a combination of both processes gives them the correct number :).
I also mugged up the chart 😀
I cant wear my specs because it triggers migraine..thank god for the guy who made lenses !
Oh really! I am so comfortable in my specs that I hardly ever wear my lenses :). Maybe, I am getting lazy now.
Dear Rachana,
Interesting …! These days I am planning to have an appointment with an eye specialist. But when they ask,which lenses confuse me a lot! As the changes are not much!
What a dedicated mother-routine check up for kids! Wow! Congrats !
Kids are too smart these days !Enjoyed reading your post.
Sasneham,
Anu
Hi anupama, thank you for such warm words. I am glad you liked the post.
ouch! i havent gone for an eye test in ages and neither has Tanvi – so far! i must go and take her too ……..
Yes, you must! And, it’s too bad that your comp is having problems.
good one … as a kid i found people wearing glasses very stylish(i still do ). I really tried my best as a kid to get one for myself but all the trips to the eye specialists just ended with me getting some horrible eye drops ! But I have still not given up 😉
Get a no-number frame if you like glasses a lot. I personally love the frames we have these days. And, I love your name Tangy Tomato Twist!
Landed up here through Reema’s blog. 🙂 First time. The funny incident was really good.. you actually mugged up?? I usually try NOT to remember so that I get my number correctly. I am so worried and hassled about getting the correct number. Talking of eye checkups, I recently got one done too.
hey Punam, welcome to my space. So happy to have you here. I know, I have the fear as you do now that I am older. But, when young I guess I did not realize what it meant not to have glasses when one had the number. Kids are like that.