I knew it was coming, but I’m still not sure I was prepared for it. The Kid’s eyes are getting better, but they’re still turning like crazy, so the doc finally said it’s time to consult a specialist about muscle surgery.
I’d read about the surgery before, and he bluntly asked me what my concerns were, which I told him. We sat and talked for probably fifteen minutes, and I understand the *why* much better now.
Apparently there are two components going on with the Kid’s vision:
1. The glasses/patching, which are both working “very well”. Seriously – the Kid started at 20/70, and now he’s down to 20/40.
2. The actual muscles of the eye, which are not doing what they’re supposed to be doing. The doc isn’t sure why, but it’s usually because the muscle behind the eyes is either too loose or too tight, which can only be fixed with surgery, and the younger that’s done, the better the outcome.
We’ve been seeing this current doctor since summer of 2008, so this was not a decision he made quickly or lightly.
In March we go to the specialist (best in Chattanooga). The surgery would be outpatient, only takes about twenty minutes, and the eye never leaves the socket. But it could take two or three actual surgeries to get the eyes aligned permanently, and obviously there’s general anesthesia involved. So S-C-A-R-Y for us parents.
I have no idea how to prepare a four-year-old for something like this, but you can bet I’ll be there every step of the way, with exception to performing the actual operation.
04/02/2010 at 1:36 pm Permalink
:(
Mr. P is one smart kid and I think he will understand when you tell him the doctors are going to work on his eyes. I will be thinking about you guys, and let me know if I can help in any way.
04/02/2010 at 1:45 pm Permalink
Thank you :) I found some kids books that deal with surgery, too, so when the time comes I’ll read those so we can talk about it more.