Lily's Pediatric Ophthalmologist Visit

At Lily's four month check up, we talked to our doctor about her eyes still crossing kind of often.  Because I was worried, our pediatrician referred us to a pediatric ophthalmologist to check her out.  We finally got in yesterday and got her diagnosis.

Well, since both eyes cross, he first said surgery.  Generally they recommend waiting until the kid is about a year old and then they will fix it.  He ruled out a patch, because both eyes are crossing so its not a "lazy" eye issue.  He also ruled out glasses because glasses generally help correct the cross eyes because of vision problems.  Lily is too young (5 1/2 months) to have a vision problem, that usually turns up at about 2 years old.  He said he would check her vision first just to make sure. 

Our doctor is really funny too.  I told him I didn't know how he did it, checking people's eyes who cannot speak and let you know what's wrong.  He said people compare him to a vet.  I thought that was pretty accurate. I also told him we were hoping that if Lily WAS blind, that her other senses would be heightened, and he said, "Like Ben Affleck in Daredevil?" I knew I liked him.  Google Daredevil if need to.

So after her eyes were dilated, he started his exam.  Lily was really pretty good, considering she had been up way to long and was used to napping at this time.  Then the doc asked if she was advanced in her milestones.  Jay and I looked at each other.  We always discuss how Lily is like a week behind her "milestones." So I told him that, and our pedi isn't concerned but has never called Lily advanced.  Average, I'd say, maybe a little late. So this doc said she may be advanced in one respect.

Turns out she can see and does have a vision problem.  She actually has the same far-sightedness that Jason has!  He said he has never seen this in a case so young.  According to him, the literature says this can happen as early as 6 months, but this is the earliest case he has ever seen.  (He ain't a young man either.) So, I guess she is advanced in this way!  He asked if we would be open to trying glasses and we agreed.  The cool thing was the doctor put the corrective lenses up to her eyes and they straightened out and she seemed surprised to see. I asked if this would affect her future vision and he said its hard to tell.  But Jay got glasses in first grade and I did in high school so she probably will anyway.

So baby glasses it is.  A beginning start on Nerdom maybe?  But the glasses are adorable.  We saw 2 pairs. One pair is soft flexible plastic that has the strap that goes around her head.  We decided not to get that type or else she will look like she is wearing basketball goggles all the time.  We went to a place with more selection and are looking at getting a traditional pair that hook to her ears. 

We put some on to try and of course she looks so cute.  We are waiting on getting some glasses to get her fitted, but there will be plenty of pictures.  She will be so cute!!