TV Show Excerpt - Eye Glasses

The following excerpt is from the original transcript of the Kids Healthworks television series, Episode 113.

WENDY RUTLEDGE (HOST)
What was once a necessary evil for many children, has now become a self-esteem boosting fashion statement. We're talking about your child's glasses.

Sights and sounds are some of the easiest ways for your children to experience the world around them. But when a child's sight is impaired, that world can soon become distorted and out of focus, making glasses a necessity.

Doctor: I think they're perfect for you!

HOST
From tiny infants, to school-aged children, little ones are enjoying perfect vision, thanks to their glasses. Glasses are nothing new for the Lamar family. Mom has been wearing glasses for as long as she can remember.

CLARISSA LAMAR
(MOTHER)
I started wearing glasses when I was in the first grade, so when I noticed different things with my son, as far as sitting up close to the TV and holding books to his face, I realized that I needed to have him checked.

HOST
When her son Dion was just two years old, Clarissa knew something was wrong.

Dr. Steve Lichtenstein: Dion, how you doing?
Dion Lamar: Fine
Dr. Steven Lichtenstein: OK.

HOST
Clarissa's first move was to schedule an eye exam with pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Steve Lichtenstein. Her questions were pretty typical.

CLARISSA LAMAR
How bad was his eyesight, how long would he have to wear glasses, if the eyesight could be corrected, if there was any surgery that could be done to correct the eyesight.

Dion Lamar: APEOTF
Dr. Steve Lichtenstein: Fantastic!

HOST
Dr. Lichtnestein diagnosed Dion as near-sighted and told them Dion would have to wear glasses to perfect his vision.

Coach: Go down, I want you to dribble in...

HOST
At first, Clarissa found herself having to constantly remind her son to wear his glasses. Now, she says, Dion is taking responsibility for his own eyesight.

CLARISSA LAMAR
I think it was more getting used to wearing the glasses and really realizing that when you look at something with the glasses, you see it a whole lot better then you do without.

HOST
Clarissa also found Dion wore his glasses more often, when he was able to take part in picking out a frame he liked.

Mother: You like the purple?

CLARISSA LAMAR
If you give them a price range, tell them you can go from here to here, that helps out a lot too, because they pick out something that they like, and they will be more willing to put it on.

HOST
Dr. Lichtenstein agrees. He says if your child is old enough...

STEVE LICHTENSTEIN
The child has to be given some ability to express their opinion on if they like them or if they don't like them.

HOST
In the past, children had few options when it came to picking out a pair of glasses, but that's all changed. Now, glasses come in all shapes and sizes, offering your child style and comfort, as well as function.

Doctor: What's this one look like?
Girl: That looks like a circle.
Doctor: Circle? Alright.

HOST
So, when should your child make her first visit to the ophthalmologist?

STEVE LICHTENSTEIN, MD, FAAP
LOUISVILLE CHILDREN'S EYE SPECIALISTS, P.S.C.
Between three and five years of age, is the best time to have a child seen to make sure, by the time they start preschool, kindergarten or nursery school, they have normal eyes and they are seeing ok.

HOST
But no matter how old your child is, Dr. Lichtenstein says you should contact your pediatrician immediately if you detect trouble, including fluttering eyes, eyes that are always sensitive to light, or eyes that look crossed, turned out, or don't focus together.

TIGER McEWING
(ELEVEN-YEAR OLD)
I cheer, I run and sometimes I ride the scooters.

HOST
Dion's cous