***preheatedoven & eyenerd***

SeaSoul

Did you see my latest post in thread below about Cal's eyes?

 

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/54141409.aspx

 

preheatedoven

I didn't, but I just read it now. I've never heard of red light (whatever he called it). In any case, if he can get you in to see the ophthal sooner than if you just call, it's doesn't hurt to go see the pedi first. Though, my pedi didn't even want to do any guessing, she just wanted us to go to the pedi ophthal.

SeaSoul

preheatedoven:

I didn't, but I just read it now. I've never heard of red light (whatever he called it).

It's when light reflects (i.e. a flash from a camera) and causes a "cat eye" look where the pupil looks white.  This happens when there is a tumor in the retina.  Yikes.  Definitely have not seen that w/ Cal, thank goodness.

preheatedoven

That is scary, good thing you can't see it in the photos.

It's amazing how they can test the eyes of such small kids. Eli was only 6 months old when we first went in. They did have to dilate his eyes, it wasn't bad at all.

eyenerd

Do not panic!!!!!  

Pedi ophth. can have some wait times.  I freaked with my DD and brought her into the office with me that day and did my own check up first.  (i know way too much about the eyes and what the issues are-but she was my kid and how can i be rational....exactly why i sched. a f/u appt. with someone else who specializes in kids). 

The red light reflex is if you shine a light at her eyes, the pupil (dark part) should look rather symmetric, and there is what is called a red reflex.  If one appears white (as in the whole pupil is white---very very obvious) it could be retinoblastoma or a cataract----both of which are very rare.

To check the alignment you can also shine the light, and look at the dot of light reflex and compare the position of each.  I believe it is called the hirschberg test (if you wanted to google it).  If the light is dead center in one pupil and on the edge of the other, it may indicate that eye has a deviation.

These test are subtle,  and this is why i prefer not to see children with eye deviations.  Also, some deviations are constant, while others are not.  Seriously, i would try not to worry---but i know that is impossible.  Tropia and phorias are very common in children.   

 

SeaSoul

eyenerd:

Also, some deviations are constant, while others are not. 

 

I'm pretty sure Cal's is not constant.

Are you an optometrist/opthalmologist??

Thanks for sharing your expertise!  I think Cal's dr. just wants to make sure it isn't looking like anything terribly serious - if so, he'd try to get him to the specialist ASAP, vs. allowing for a longer wait time.

eyenerd

I am an optometrist.  I think kids are tough at times (especially with the deviations since they are not always constant). Kids don't often give the best responses, so you have to go on all of your objective tests.  I don't deal with it a lot (I do mostly elderly eye issues (cataracts and glaucoma), and your basic contact/glasses/pink eye exams.

I have actually been trying to refresh myself with all the kids techniques and tests because they really aren't that difficult....it is just that i don't do it that often.

(that being said, i bet i will be bombarded with cross eyed kids all afternoon...LOL) 

 

SeaSoul

Well, we are lucky to have you on the board!

preheatedoven

SeaSoul:

Well, we are lucky to have you on the board!

Agreed! 

preheatedoven

I thought you guys might be interested in seeing these pics. I put this album together to show the progression of Eli's eyes:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100129624428668.2523476.26726688

eyenerd

Thanks guys:) 

Aw.....he is adorable!!!!

My DH had strabismus sx as a child as well.  I can only notice his eye turn when he is tired.  SO that is why we are watching our kids closely.

Does is have a high (+) prescription?  (farsighted)?

 

preheatedoven

eyenerd:

Does is have a high (+) prescription?  (farsighted)?

He does, but they don't think that is what causing the crossing. We've pretty much given up on the glasses for right now:) He will NOT keep them on!

SeaSoul

Aw, thanks for sharing those pics!  He's so cute and I'm so glad everything has gone well so far!

SeaSoul

BTW, I'd forgotten that my nephew has eye issues...I emailed my cousin today and found out that he had strabismus in both eyes (since corrected by surgery), he also has a number of other issues, the most serious of which has yet to be diagnosed, but may be retinitis pigmentosa - his cones were deteriorating but have been status quo for a while.  He also has Nystagmus.  He wears glasses and is the cutest kid (he's 8 now - think this all started when he was 4).