Ophthalmology Appointment

Our pediatrician and the doctors at the IAC wanted us to have the girls' eyes checked, so we waited a looooong time for an appointment and finally got them both in.  I wasn't too concerned, as they seem to see the littlest things here and there, but you never know.   I haven't had my eyes checked since I was in high school (and they were better than normal at that time), so I really don't know much about the whole process.   I didn't prepare the girls well, as I didn't know what to expect, and it showed.

Both C and FL were nervous, cranky and somewhat defiant in the waiting room.  Plus, Sam was coming in with the paperwork we needed to have for the appointment and the staff wasn't happy that we didn't have it with us.  So, I wasn't as attentive as I should have been because I was busy refilling out paperwork and couldn't focus on my two little people swirling around the room. Ok, and I was grumpy, too.

For the actual appointment, the girls each took turns sitting in my lap, covering one eye with a spoon and telling us what pictures they saw on the screen.  The pictures had to have been from the 40's or 50's.  One of them was a rotary telephone-the girls kept saying it was a dog (FL) or a cow (C)!  They were not great pictures!

C buckled under the pressure of believing that she had to get it right and cried for most of her picture test.  FL would only mumble something unintelligible and flat out REFUSED to sign.  No matter what I said or did or said I would do.  Once the technician (who was very nice) left the room, she happily signed what all of the pictures were.  She is doing her best to sharpen my parenting skills!

The girls did fine for the ophthalmologist's exam.  No tears and perfect obedience.

During the whole process, everyone kept asking me over and over why the girls were there for a visit and if there were any problems at all.  They each asked me this a couple of times.  I should have clued in to it, and almost mentioned CP and some eye rubbing, but thought I might be reading too much into it all.  Well, pay attention if you go through this and FIND SOME REASON medically for your children to need to see the ophthalmologist.  It would have cost me about 30.00 per child had I had a medical reason, but instead it cost me 160.00 per child.  

Yep. 

 And they have no vision problems (thankfully).  The receptionist that took our payment told us to make up something next time.  And, no, they wouldn't let me go back and tell them the things I had originally considered speaking up about.  

So all and all, I learned a few lessons:

* always have a medical concern when going into an appointment 

* take time to prep your children, no matter how small the appointment may seem

* if you take the time to meet your needs first! you can help your children with their needs more effectively

* it never hurts to get the medical reports filled out way, way ahead of time

* your children will reflect your emotions and attitude.  Act accordingly.

Can I have a do-over?!!  Please?!!!