That is what they told me today at the pediatric opthamologist. Topher was first diagnosed with Amblyopia and Strabismus as well as extreme Hyperopia (farsightedness) a little over a year ago.
He got glasses and they made a huge difference. He could suddenly see! He told me. He said "Mommy I can SEE!" when he first put his glasses on. His attention span also greatly improved. He started doing so much better in school. It's just preschool. but still. We then had to patch his good eye 2 hours a day to help strengthen the weak one. He did pretty well for awhile. He then decided he didn't want to be a pirate anymore. It was a real struggle.
Last month he went in for his eye check up and his eyes are crossing again. The Dr changed his glasses prescription in hopes that it would help. (He also told us to stop patching for now) We went back today and it did not. His vision has gotten so much better and his eyes are crossing less but they still cross. He also is still only relying on one eye. He doesn't see binocularly so he has no sense of depth. He does really well for a boy who can't see depth!
His eyes have gotten as good as they are going to get with the glasses. He has such a strong prescription (boy oh boy are they thick!) and it can't get any stronger. We need to get both eyes working together or he runs the risk of going completely blind in the weaker eye and the stronger eye has a chance of developing a deviation. sigh......
Now we go back to the eye patch. This means I need to come up with some little tricks and incentives to get him to wear it. Topher will also need to have surgery - on both eyes. I started to cry in the doctor's office. We've done all we can and surgery is really the only option now. I know it is the right thing to do and I completely trust my Dr but it is still very scary.
I'm a wreck.
Tuesday, May 17
Partially Accommodated Esotropia
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10 comments:
Emily,
I feel your pain because I had the same thing as Topher. I had very strong glasses around 5 years old and wore a patch, etc. The teachers thought I couldn't read (but that's another story). After 2 eye surgeries (in my fifth and sixth grade summers, that's as good as my eyes got (about 90%).
Currently, I need glasses to drive a car and my night vision is not so great.
I will be praying for you and your boys as I know your decision is a hard one.
Oh Em (((HUGS)))
It is always so hard to deal with things when it involves our children and their hurt.
Clay had thick glasses...coke bottle thick...which was great when it came to me forgetting to clean the shower...lol...he couldn't complain.
He had surgery 5 years ago and it was amazing what they can accomplish.
Topher has doctors on his side and parents that love him....have faith and all the rest will fall into place.
God Bless :-)
Emily, I'm thinking of you and your family. I know a little boy at school that went thru this and he's doing so much better now after his surgeries. He does wear glasses, but he sees much better and is very happy. I will be keeping good thoughts for all of you.
I've been lurking here for a week or two - saw this post and decided to de-lurk myself.
My daughter just had her second surgery for congential esotropia two months ago. I think her case differs from your sons because her vision is 20/30 and doesn't cause the crossing. But we did do the patching when she was a baby (under one) and the doctor gave us the same grave news, basically 'don't do the surgery and she'll lose the vision in one eye'. Her first surgery was the day before her first birthday. The difference was immediate and amazing. I could report more on the subject, but as I am a stranger and you may think I'm rambling, I'll sign off, If you want more of my views or surgery reports let me know... :) I have a post surgery photo posted from this last one...March 24th. Hope you guys are doing well, it's tough news...
Just wanted to send tons of hugs and a little bit of reassurance - I had the surgery to uncross my eyes at age 3 (more than 45 years ago). I was assured when my daughter was little that they could correct much much better at that point than they did when I had the surgery. I'm sure it has improved even more since then.
You and Topher are in my prayers!
((((hugs))))
Oh Emily,
((((hugs)))) to you and Topher, I am sure the Dr. will do all in their might to help him.
It will be fine.
Emily - I can just imagine what you're going through! It's so hard knowing if what you're doing is right and the best thing for your child. And wondering if everything you go through will be the ultimate fix, or if you made the wrong decision. My thoughts are with you.
Just saw this post b/c I've been away from the computer for a few days. I'm so sorry to hear this news, but I know you will all come through it okay. Modern medicine can do amazing things! :)
It's great that little Tropher is getting such good care for his strabismus. I've had strabismus many years, first diagnosed at age nine.
I've linked you to the newly formed "Tropes" section of my EyesApart.com blog. Would be great if you could provide a link back, but if not I'll keep you there anyway.
Blessings to you and little Tropher,
Lois
Emily I'm sorry to hear about your son! My baby is goin to be two next week and has been wearing glasses since befor he was one. They say he may also need surgery he has congential esotropia though holis situation is way different i feel what your goin through my baby spent the first 23 months of his life in the nicu and has only been home a week he has had several surgeries and i thank god for every day that he's here!! He absolutely refuses to wear his glasses so surgery is probably what it will b for us!! God bless you in your journey ahead and things will work out.
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