We need recommendations for a pediatric eye doctor in or close to the Coppell/Carrollton/Plano area. We live in Valley Ranch (which is far north Irving), but we are closer to Coppell or Carrollton and also spend tons of time in Plano with other family.
Our 9 year old daugther has never had any vision problems until what seems all of a sudden. We just found out this week that she cannot see the board that the teacher writes on at school and then asked her about the menu board at a local restaurant which she also had some problems reading.
I don't know if this is common for a child to have regular check-ups at the well-kid doctor appointments (not the eye doctor, just reg. pediatrician) and through the annual school exams and always pass fine. Then, to suddenly seem to begin to have vision problems.
So, she needs to see a pediatric eye doctor (opthamologist or optometrist) right away. We are on a very limited budget, so we want the best doctor but must be affordable too.
Please advise. Thanks. Blessings!!!!!
You don't need a pediatric eye Dr, just a regular eye Dr. I would find someone that takes your eye insurance, if not then call around and ask what the cash price is. Both my boys went around Christmas and both needed reading glasses, we just took them to our eye Dr that my husband and I both see (but that's in Allen).
Dr Beauchamp in Grapevine was highly recommended to me. My daughter has a very strong prescription and I have been taking her there for years. He is so sweet with kids...you will love him! His office number is ###-###-####.
She doesn't need to see an ophthalmologist, who is an M.D. who specializes in eye diseases. You need to find an optometrist, who provides routine eye care and gives you a glasses prescription. He/She will also screen for a medical problem that could be involved and would tell you if you need to see an ophthalmologist. If you don't have vision coverage through insurance, I would call around to find out prices in your area. Places like Costco, Target, JCPenney and Walmart have optometrists working in their stores (although they are separate providers, not employees of those companies); in general, I think they are a little less expensive. Most optometrists are used to seeing a lot of children, and as far as I know, optometrists don't usually specialize in children. None of them would be considered "pediatric" since that is a medical term associated with MDs. I think the greater cost will probably be the glasses themselves, so again, look for coupons or specials to different optical shops. Most of them send their glasses out to labs to be made, so there shouldn't be an issue with quality of manufacture, just perhaps with frame prices if you go to a lower cost center like Walmart or Target. Despite their advertising, I have always found Lens Crafters to be on the expensive side. They carry very few reasonable frames. Age 9 is a common age to see vision changes, so I wouldn't worry too much. BTW, I worked for an ophthalmologist for years, have 3 out of 4 kids who wear glasses and have worn them myself since age 7. One recommendation, pick frames that have springs on the hinges so they bend out as well as in---much less likely to get broken. Good luck! One more thing---eye strain does not cause eye damage or contribute to changes in strength of prescription. It literally just makes your eyes tired and could make them watery or dry. So no worries about time spent reading or watching TV.
My daughter got glasses at 9 too after saying she had trouble seeing the board and reading words on TV. She had fine eye screenings before. Do you or her dad wear glasses? It can be genetic. Or has she started reading a lot lately? My daughter reads a lot, and I've told her to take breaks to focus her eyes on far away things, but I don't think she does.
I called around to several pediatric opthamologists, but they were very expensive. So I called my eye dr. and she said 9 was old enough to go to a regular eye dr. Mine is in Allen so I think it would be too far for you.
Are you sure you need a pediatric eye doc? I love my doc but not sure what he would charge you. He isn't cheap. He is not pediatric. You could at least call his office and ask if you need a pediatric eye doc and if so get a recommendation.
Murray Johnson on Preston Road at Frankford
We use Wilken Family Eye Care
755 N Denton Tap Rd # 100, Coppell
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