Mini and The Specs

It would appear that Mini doesn't just look like me. It seems she has also become another victim of the Curran "Blind as a Bat" syndrome too.



The "Blind as a Bat" syndrome affects every single member of my family, in one degree or another and on both sides of the family too. My Mother's lot, as well as my sister, are only slightly afflicted, requiring the use of specs for reading and TV watching only. My Dad's lot are the same as me, which means, should a freak accident occur and our specs are removed, we are pretty much rendered almost, but not quite, blind. We become a menace to society. I cannot see two feet in front of me without my glasses, although I do try. Anyone who witnessed me missing the large step down from the Recharge Room into the Main Room at Cybermummy last year will attest that me+no glasses due to vanity do not a good mix make.


I had started to notice that Mini was squinting at far away things, and that she was having issues with reading her letters too. I asked her teachers if they'd notice anything wrong, and they agreed. They have a game at school where they all take it in turns to read from the white board, and when she is right near it, she's fine. The further back she goes, she finds it harder.


So, it was off to the Opticians. Which Mini finds a bit scary. With good reason too.


The first time she went, she was nearly 4, and I had been told that due to the family history we'd best get her checked. She knew her letters and numbers, and could spot shapes like birds, flowers and hearts, so off we went to one of three local opticians in our Town Centre.


It didn't go well. The lady who conducted the eye test, despite me saying it was the first one she'd ever had, was very impatient. She huffed and puffed through the test, and was not great in manner towards a kid. In the end, Mini was petrified of her, she picks up on people's attitudes pretty easily, and this lady's was one of boredom and annoyance, so Mini just closed off. To the point where she asked me if Mini was "too slow and backward" to recognise simple pictures. We left pretty sharpish, with Mini in tears as she worked out the Lady was pretty mean about, and to her. 


The next time we went, to a different opticians, was just before she started school. She was so nervous, and really didn't want to go, but, luckily, the next lady couldn't have been more different. She was so bubbly and kid friendly, I think she obviously had to chose between a career as an Optician or working on Milkshake. That time, they said she was fine.


This time was different. Again she had a smiley, bubbly and friendly lady (seriously, Specsavers must really train their staff on interacting with kids) She did well with the bigger letters, and pictures, but as soon as they reached a small size similar to this font size, she couldn't see (and, worryingly, I was sitting closer and couldn't see. With my glasses on).


It seems Mini has an astigmatism, and is a little long sighted too. Oh no!


There is good news though- they want to see if, in 3 months time, wearing specs for school work, TV and board watching, and reading can sort it out for her. Which is practically what happened when my sister wore them at a similar age.


Mini is pleased- her friend K at school wears specs, and so now she has specs too, she is happy as Larry, the daft child!


I do feel bad for passing on my "Blind as a Bat" gene. But then, she does look pretty cute in the specs she chose! 


She was very good- she saw a Purple Hello Kitty pair, and that was that, she didn't even try any others. As she has to wear them, I let her stick with them. 


Thank goodness she is such a good sport about it, I hated having to wear mine, and still do.