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Austin Babies
A little bummed. Re: strabismus
I need to preface this with, yes, I know we are blessed that she's healthy and able and I don't take that lightly. I'm still bummed and need to get some emotions out. DH is excited about DD getting glasses and doesn't get where I'm coming from. We both got glasses in HS and I'm concerned about the issues a small child will face, not high-schoolers/young adults, because the experiences are going to be different. Now on to the meat of my post...
DD has been diagnosed with strabismus. In July DH and I noticed that one of her eyes turned outward sometimes. Maybe once a week, we would notice that it happened. I called to make an appointment (in July) and Dec. 6th was their first available appt. Seriously? So, I've been trying to keep the anxiety monster away for ~5 months. Yay.
So, we went in. DD needs glasses. Surgery was never mentioned, so anyone that knows anything about that, please chime in. I'm bummed about the glasses, but the part that really gets me is that with glasses, it is going to get worse. Right now it happens infrequently. Once she gets her glasses, as soon as she takes them off, she will automatically go crossed-eyed 100% of the time. Really? It makes sense, the eye muscles get used to having the glasses to focus so they get lazy and don't try to focus themselves at all. But, that really sucks. I didn't get glasses until HS and sometimes it was a huge PITA. She is so young that certain activities will really be a PITA for her. Getting rained on with glasses sucks because it's not like you have windshield wipers, what about going to the pool or the lake with all of the splashing? How is she supposed to continue swim lessons if she can't see? Here come the probably overly dramatic questions...how is she supposed to play certain sports, participate in gymnastics, learn to wakeboard. *I* know to close my eyes before I wipeout or else I'll lose my contacts, be blind and get a headache before I'm able to get to my glasses or more contacts. A child isn't going to be able to not lose their glasses. We don't ever get any more pictures without glasses? I know DH is right, she's going to be super cute in glasses. I do think kids in glasses are cute, but at the same time, no one can say that they aren't restrictive, because they can be.
Are there prescription goggles out there for kids? I guess maybe there are special straps or something for sports? I haven't googled anything yet. Thanks for letting me get some of this out.
Also, any recs on the best place to get the glasses? I know to stay away from the chains, but if anyone knows a place with a lot of options for kids (preferably central/south) please let me know.
P.S. We were actually hoping she'd get a patch for a few months and we'd be done. She'd make such a cute pirate and glasses wouldn't be an issue.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: A little bummed. Re: strabismus
I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Like you said, not the end of the world and certainly it could be worse things, but still, you don't want anything to be "wrong" with your kids.
Do you feel confident/certain that glasses are the way to go? I know a really fabulous OT whose specialty is vision (OTs work with the small muscles of the body and eye muscles fall into that category. Not every OT can address vision issues, but this is a specialty for some.) and if it were my child, I would definitely want to explore whether vision therapy could help make her eyes stronger before going for glasses. If you want a referral, let me know and I can PM it to you.
I'm sorry you're going through this. Let me first say that one of L's friends has glasses--has had them since birth, and they took swimming lessons together and played soccer together (in rain and shine), and her friend never had an issue. She had prescription goggles, etc. So from a practical perspective, your daughter will still be able to participate in all of those types of activities.
From an emotional perspective, let me give you a big internet (((hug))). It's so hard to hear there is anything "wrong" with your kid. When C was diagnosed with her hip dysplasia as a newborn, and had to wear that harness 24 hours a day, and might've needed surgery, etc., I had a really hard time. Yes, I knew it was fixable, and wasn't life threatening, but it was still very hard for me. I think some people understood that better than others.
So please don't beat up on yourself for feeling bad/sad about it, I think that's a totally normal reaction. And yes, you have perspective, and know it could be much much worse, but that doesn't mean you have to like that your daughter has this condition.
You guys will both get through this fine, but I am sorry that you have to deal with it!
Thank you all for not making me feel petty for having these feelings and concerns. It has helped my mood. Also, thank you for the info.
August, I am interested in the OT info you have. Please PM me.