Anvesha in Glasses

Anvesha started to have a real communication with us from this summer and that's when she started complaining that her eyes are hurting. She used to get extremely uncomfortable ( and with that I mean really really uncomfortable) with the direct rays of sun hitting her eyes. At first we just thought this may be a passing phase and she must be tired, but when it became consistent, we scheduled an eye exam for her.

I didn't send her to her day care that day as the eye exam would take and hour or so. I was getting her mentally prepared that the doctor would check her eyes and she should tell the doctor that her eyes 'hurt'. We waited in the lobby of the clinic and Anvesha was fascinated with the huge aquarium and was really excited seeing the colorful fishes inside. As the nurse called out her name, I held Anvesha's hand and we walked into the exam room thinking it would be just another eye exam and at most she would be given over the counter eye drops. Towards the end of the eye check up, the doctor told me that she might need glasses!!!!! At first I didn't quite believe my ears and asked again and the doctor said that she has astigmatism because of which  she has a distorted vision. It's a very common thing and I have it too, but for kids her age its way too early. Somewhere deep in my heart I felt guilty of not scheduling her exam early :( Unable to digest this, I scheduled another eye exam with some other doctor just as to get a second opinion, but it was the same thing again...... the doctor said that until age 5 her vision is still developing and it might get better with time if she wears the constantly.

I guess more than Anvesha I have to get used to seeing her in glasses. I just can't imagine her in glasses... those adorable eyes behind glasses :((( Most vision problems don't show up until later in life and I got my glasses during my early teens too, but I was nervous about how she will welcome this new addition on her face. But to my surprise, she adapted pretty well.... maybe because she sees me in my glasses and perhaps loved the idea of seeing things much clearer.  Its important to keep an upbeat attitude about spectacles... and she will too !!!! We constantly keep telling her that her glasses are so pretty and ahe looks amazing in them.

Choosing the right glasses:  Selecting the right glasses is very important considering how active toddlers are and I was amazed with the wide range of toddler glasses. I wasn't in my best frame of mind while looking at the toddler glasses as this was something I would never have wanted for Anvesha. After series of trials we selected one with a rectangular plastic frame and elastic straps so that they are easier to stay on her small face. The guy also pointed out that she would need to be  Hercules to break them... lol !!!!

Getting the spectacles on does require creative parenting. The key is to be persistent and patient. I don't want to pressurize her into wearing her glasses for the simple reason that I don't want her to develop an aversion towards them. I simply tell her that her eyes may hurt if she opens her glasses and she puts them back after some time.

It's been a month now and we are slowly getting used to seeing her in glasses. She has two pairs now- one purple and one pink!!! I am pretty sure we will land up having more matching with her dresses.

Here's presenting Anvesha with the latest addition on her face......