Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Opthamologist

Little Stevie was so darn good at his appointment today. It was a long 4-hour process and he was a happy boy through most of it. The only time he got upset was the actual eye exam at the end of the day. It took 4 people to hold him down - I held his arms, one doctor held his head, another doctor pried his eyelids open while the Opthamologist actually checked his eyes. He was fighting with all his might, and I'm sure I've never heard him scream quite like that.

I was a bit frustrated at the appointment myself. Not only because it took so freakin' long, but I don't really feel they had anything new to tell me. All the information they shared was basically things I had already learned all about on Google.

He has a condition called Ptosis, which means that the muscles in his eyelids are under developed. He will most likely need surgery to correct the issue. He is a little far-sighted, but that is normal for infants. So they want me to come back in a few months to check that his sight is getting better. At that time, we will probably determine when to schedule the surgery (we'll need to be referred to someone else) and if he might need baby glasses. Right now, she doesn't think he will need glasses, but it's a possibility.

Personally, I was prepared to get the surgery over and done with as soon as possible. But the doc has her reasons why she doesn't want to rush into anything. She feels that the Ptosis is not hindering his sight enough to warrant any immediate drastic measures. As long as his vision is progressing and he can see, we will just have to be patient. I have to watch for cues that he keeps making the effort to see things around him - by lifting his eyebrows and keeping his chin up - those are good signs that his eyes are functioning.

So I should be relieved. And I guess I am in some ways. I just want to give him every opportunity to develop as normally as possible and not have any other reasons for him to be delayed in any way.

This was after they put in the dilating eye drops (before the meltdown!) He opened them up so big! It was really cute.
My li'l love bug.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Squishy face! :) what a total doll.

--Heather

absolutebob said...

"That's all folks!" I don't know why that pictures makes me think of that.

Elmwood Court said...

He couldn't be any cuter! That smile just melts my heart.

PBJ Mommy said...

Oops the Elmwood court coments were me. Sorry didn't know I was logged into my old account.

Krista said...

oh baby! i guess the doctors "practice" for a reason? grrr... so frustrating. but jorel and i are SO excited to come see you guys in just a couple of days! hooray!