Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jan 31, 2012, 6:28 pm
As we come to the end of January, which this year is Glaucoma Awareness Month, I wanted to post a few resources for families who are dealing with pediatric glaucoma. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, and while older people are more at risk, glaucoma can occur at any age.  Pediatric or Chil...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jan 30, 2012, 11:49 pm
Many thanks to Sarah who sent in her account of working with a teacher of the visually impaired. – Ann Z My nearly four-year-old daughter Isabella has multiple ocular diagnoses: severe hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, mild macular hypoplasia (“underdevelopment of the macula, a small are...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jan 23, 2012, 10:58 pm
I just learned that January is National Braille Literacy Month.  Braille is the reading and writing system for the blind and visually impaired.     In recognition of the month and the movement to improve literacy rates among the blind and visually impaired, Online Colleges has an interesting pos...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jan 21, 2012, 10:55 pm
A question was posted on the Little Four Eyes facebook group by Danyelle, whose 3 month old will be getting glasses this week.  She’s  looking for resources to help prepare her older children for their younger sister’s glasses.  I thought I’d post here and see if anyone had any good ideas t...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jan 16, 2012, 11:26 am
I think blogs can be a fantastic way of sharing our struggles, and finding others that are going through similar journeys.  I had originally kept a list of blogs on the main resources page, but there are so many great blogs out there now that I wanted to give them their own page.  So I’ve create...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jan 4, 2012, 11:25 pm
January is Glaucoma Awareness month.  I hope to feature stories this months about children with glaucoma.  Amanda was kind enough to share this post that she wrote for her son, that was originally published on her blog See the Distance. – Ann Z My son, Easton was born with a severely cloudy Cat...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Dec 27, 2011, 11:41 pm
Ayisha sent in this picture of her beautiful daughter, Salena, writing: “I am attaching a picture of my daughter, SALENA, age 8 years, who got her glasses when she was about 6 years old for farsightedness and astigmatism. She has been very good with her glasses always and has never broken one.  ...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Dec 6, 2011, 10:45 pm
It’s long bothered me that some of the terms or phrases related to children’s vision are  inaccurate and sometimes even mean very different things, which leads to all sorts of confusion.  Here are the ones that I can think of, though I’m sure I’m missing others: Squint The one that trips...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Nov 30, 2011, 12:01 am
Ficklets is running a holiday photo contest: “Show us your Twinkle Eyes” – with a great prize pack: 5 Ficklet charms, eyeglass case, microfiber cloth, Amazon gift card, and more.  Check out the link above for more information on how to submit your child’s photo to enter.  Pictures must be ...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Nov 29, 2011, 11:54 pm
For the crafty minded, or those looking for some crafts to work on with their kids, here’s some glasses-related crafts… Make a glasses case: Amomofelly pinned this link to instructions for making a simple glasses case that can be decorated however you or your child chooses. Turn old glasses fra...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Nov 23, 2011, 10:38 pm
In honor of Thanksgiving Day here in the US tomorrow, I’ve been thinking about what I’m thankful for: A pediatrician who took seriously our concerns about Zoe’s eyes crossing. A pediatric ophthalmologist who we trust, and who really spends time with Zoe and knows her and her eyes. Patient opt...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Nov 17, 2011, 11:10 pm
I just received this request from Arlene who is interested in finding ways to make a greater selection of frames available in the UK.  She would love to have any parents in the UK fill out the linked survey.  -Ann Z I am a mummy of two great children one of whom needed glasses just before her 3...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Nov 14, 2011, 11:59 pm
A couple of links to check out, and one website that no longer exists… These links will both be added to our Gear page: I just learned of the site Children Wearing Glasses a couple of weeks ago (it was posted on the facebook page, but I can’t find the post again, so I can’t give credit where...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Nov 14, 2011, 11:10 pm
Ingrid wrote me with the following question: I’m wondering if any parents of children with intermittent exotropia notice that their child constantly closes one eye in sunlight? Of all that we go though with Paris’s eyes, including patching, this for me is the thing that bugs me and bothers me t...
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Ann Z. posted an article on The Tragic Optimist - Nov 3, 2011, 11:07 am
This morning, Zoe comes to us and tells us she learned some new things about our cats, that they don’t like orange things and they don’t like balloons.  When we asked how she learned this, she said she’d taken her orange balloon and held it in front of the cat’s face, and the cat walked awa...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Nov 1, 2011, 11:18 pm
I had too much fun going through my email inbox these past couple of days.  The pictures everyone sent in of their children all dressed up for Halloween are beyond cute.  So without further ado, here they are, enjoy!  (And if you have a picture you want added, send it my way, I’ll try to get it...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Oct 29, 2011, 10:25 pm
Goblins in glasses?  Bespectacled beasties?  I’d love to do a post featuring pictures of our kids all decked out for Halloween – or any other glasses-related decorations.  Send me your pictures, with whatever caption you’d like added to it to ann @ shinypebble . com (take out the spaces). ...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Oct 19, 2011, 11:03 am
Princesses Wear Glasses, by Kristin Ellsworth, illustrated by Christina Turner The book I’m reviewing, Princesses Wear Glasses, by Kristin Ellsworth, is not available in bookstores or libraries (yet).  It is currently sold only in conjunction with the Peeps Eyewear glasses.  Ellsworth, founder ...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Oct 17, 2011, 10:26 pm
I haven’t done a link round up in a while, so here’s a few to check out! 2012 Visions of Home calendar Children’s Eye Foundation 2012 Visions of Home Eye Care calendar (this link goes to the store, but you can see the full calendar by clicking the “View the 2012 Calendar” link).  This ...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Oct 16, 2011, 9:16 am
but the MOST important of things was this: a very special new accessory for Bitty Baby. Phew! My two tiniest girls are twins, again. (Full disclosure, when I bought these Bitty Baby glasses, I got choked up. I wasn’t sad. I wasn’t happy. I was just choked up. Just because it is a thing.  H...
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Ann Z. posted an article on The Tragic Optimist - Oct 13, 2011, 11:04 pm
For years now, we’ve done a farm share, which has worked well, except for the abundance of summer squash that inevitably hits right around the end of August.  No matter how bad a season may be, and this season was pretty harsh to our farm, there always seems to be more than enough zucchini, patty...
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Ann Z. posted an article on The Tragic Optimist - Oct 12, 2011, 11:23 pm
Zoe turned 5 today.  Five!!!  Five.  Wow. The day didn’t start too well, I was sitting with Hazel on my bed, and turned away, and down she went.   Lesson for the day: if you find yourself saying to your baby, “Why don’t we put you on the floor so I’m not so nervous with you up here.”...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Oct 11, 2011, 7:54 pm
Thanks to Bright Eyes Tampa for posting this article on facebook!  Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is a disorder that stops the interpretation of visual information.  Parents of children with CVI had noticed that their children interacted with the devices much more than with other objects, but th...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Sep 29, 2011, 10:28 pm
I was terribly behind on the photo gallery updates, but I just added 15 (!) picture of some extremely cute kids in glasses! Check them out! I’ve also re-organized the books page. I’ve added a section for books about patching, and I’ve put some links to help navigate the page more easily. I w...
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Ann Z. posted an article on The Tragic Optimist - Sep 27, 2011, 11:57 pm
I never had a sister.  Well, not until I was 17 and an exchange student (and that’s really a topic for another post or 30, though I’d love to write more about that someday).  It’s been a lot of fun to watch Zoe and Hazel’s relationship, and how they interact.  Hazel so clearly looks up to...
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Ann Z. posted an article on The Tragic Optimist - Sep 22, 2011, 11:45 pm
It’s not disputed that nursing causes some changes in the mother.  My figure is bustier, I actually have cleavage to speak of, and I’m not used to that.  It has also really upped my chocolate cravings, which were already quite strong to begin with.  But now they’re crazy, leading me to grab...
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Ann Z. posted an article on The Tragic Optimist - Sep 21, 2011, 1:03 pm
I’ve been missing this blog – I’ve been missing blogging in general.  This morning, I had a couple hours all to myself (I’m working the evening shift tonight), and got to do some work on my Little Four Eyes blog.  I got so fired up and remembered how much I love these spaces.   I was like...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Sep 21, 2011, 11:03 am
I mentioned a while back about the Prevent Blindness America “Most Beautiful Eyes” contest. The contest is in full swing now, and voting will continue until the end of the month. The winner of the contest (chosen from a group of top vote-getters) will be the face of the Star Pupils program – ...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Sep 13, 2011, 9:23 pm
I have to admit something; In my career as a mommy, there have been moments that I am not proud of. Like this weekend, when I told my husband that he just had to watch the baby for a few minutes. I had something important to do. (Really, I just had to go down to the kitchen and eat cookie dough s...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Sep 6, 2011, 11:46 pm
A friend recently told me about her son getting glasses.  He’s 10, and very excited about wearing glasses, in fact, he was sad when he learned that he’d have to leave the glasses shop without glasses in hand (or on face) after picking his out.  Why was he so excited for his glasses?  Because ...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Sep 6, 2011, 6:47 pm
Yes, we buy every cute glasses-themed T-shirt we see. Busted farmer's hat? Not a typical accessory. Last night, my daughter experienced double vision. But panic soon gave way to reassurance. It was not a bad thing. Surprisingly, I haven’t lost my mind. (Though if I did, would I know it? Anywho.)...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Sep 1, 2011, 12:02 am
A friend sent me this link after reading my last post about whether or not glasses = nerdy.  The story is a piece from National Public Radio that ran this past April, you can listen to the program at the link above, or read the transcript there – they’re the same.  The program talks about a st...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Aug 21, 2011, 12:22 am
Melanie brought this up on the facebook page, which reminded me that I’d wanted to write about this very thing. A couple of weeks ago, we were out shopping for more shirts for Zoe, since she’s recently gone through a growth spurt.  We went in to Children’s Place, and Chris immediately notice...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Aug 17, 2011, 10:42 pm
So over in the Little Four Eyes facebook group, there’s been a suggestion to make a kids who wear glasses day – tentatively named “International Children Who Wear Glasses Day.”  It would be a word of mouth, unofficial day to celebrate our kids in glasses and patches, a day to raise awarenes...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Aug 15, 2011, 1:08 pm
I can’t believe my little four eyes turned 5!  Now it seems, more of her friends are joining the glasses club.  It is nice to see more kids in glasses at playdates.  A friend e-mailed me this question and I thought I would share with anyone else who may have an older kid new to glasses.  We st...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Aug 6, 2011, 11:59 pm
Many, many thanks to Melissa for writing this and giving us permission to repost it.   It was originally posted at her blog, The Glovers.  -Ann Z I believe in Dr. Cogen because he doesn’t sugar coat things & uses lots of analogies. I believe that some of the patches smell weird & I cannot figu...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jul 27, 2011, 12:07 am
I was never one to enter pictures of Zoe in to photo contests – actually, never one to enter any of my pictures at all into a photo contest, I’m not all that skilled a photographer.  But something happened when Zoe got her glasses.  I remember poring over the photos of her, first to convince m...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jul 24, 2011, 3:15 pm
So my last post was no news is good news and I must have jinxed myself.  In the last couple weeks, my gut is telling me something is just not right.  I am starting to see a slight turn in when she is tired.  Am I just over analyzing the situation or are her eyes misaligned again?  So disheartned...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jul 13, 2011, 12:30 am
This question came in from Ingrid, whose daughter Paris is 3, and wears glasses for nearsightedness in one eye, her other eye needs no correction (anisometropia). – Ann Z I am wanting to ask parents of children with anisometropia whether they find their child particularly clumsy?  It is somethin...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jul 12, 2011, 10:30 am
It seems like forever since I have posted – sorry, hope all is well with our little four eyes family. Elliana’s eyes have remained straight since the last surgery and her prescription hasn’t changed again, but I am getting the sinking feeling that it will be soon. She is starting to put her ...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jul 12, 2011, 12:04 am
I ran across a very interesting article the other day while perusing the recent literature on kids and glasses (yeah, I regularly read through article about kids and glasses, makes me a hit at the parties…). “Spectacle wear in children reduces parental health-related quality of life,” publish...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jul 11, 2011, 10:31 pm
The COVD (College of Optometrists in Vision Development) is looking for videos that tell of success stories with vision therapy.  They’re holding a video contest, “Visions of Hope” on their facebook page.  The deadline for submitting videos is August 10, and winners will be selected by vote ...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jul 6, 2011, 5:17 pm
A question came up in the comments about how to find an expert for a second opinion for their child’s vision.  I think it’s an excellent question, and I’d love to hear thoughts on how others have gone about choosing an eye doctor for their child, and especially if you sought a second opinion,...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jun 17, 2011, 8:23 pm
By, Rebecca of Mommy, Ever After Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve grown to love my baby girl’s glasses. They help her, they are a tangible solution to a small problem, and they look so darn cute. I’ve learned to love them so much, that I have stopped thinking about them. I have accept...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jun 12, 2011, 11:25 pm
Many, many thanks to Melissa Glover who gives us some hard-won advice on patching a very young toddler.  To follow her chronicle of “the patch”, check out her blog http://thegloverfamilyblog.blogspot.com/ I have a friend who runs marathons. She trains by completing 5, 10 or even 15 miles a day...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jun 3, 2011, 3:24 pm
by, Rebecca of Mommy, Ever After It has been 10 days since my sweet girl got her glasses. On day 1, I hated them. She looks different. People are looking at her differently. She’s not used to them. Are they uncomfortable? Is she still the same little girl? Of course she’s the same little gir...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jun 2, 2011, 11:22 pm
…only the teachers.”  Zoe’s brought this up a couple of times recently.  She hasn’t been upset per se, but she does seem to notice it a lot more.  I usually run through my list of kids we know in glasses out loud, but none of them are kids that she sees on a regular basis, so that doesn�...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - Jun 1, 2011, 11:44 pm
frames that are currently in the shop for repair When Zoe first got glasses, we only bought her one pair (the sticker shock was enough that we just couldn’t imagine paying for two pair), but between prescription changes and replacing scratched lenses, she ended up having to go without glasses pre...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - May 26, 2011, 3:44 pm
By, Rebecca of Mommy, Ever After Last week, we found out that our sweet girl needs glasses. She is quite farsighted, in fact. She was having trouble reading her T.S. Elliot Poems at bedtime, so I decided to have her eyes checked. Oh. You know I’m kidding. She can read Preludes just fine. It’...
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Ann Z. posted an article on Little four eyes - May 24, 2011, 11:10 pm
Zoe’s prescription increased pretty dramatically recently (her astigmatism jumped from +0.75 to +1.75).  It really surprised me, since previous big prescription changes were usually preceded by her eyes crossing more, or Zoe not wanting to wear her glasses any more.  This time, she had neither o...
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