Lazy Eye Surgery- amblyopia strabismus

summerbld2 · July 2013

Ok ladies - my son's eye doctor just told us that patching his lazy eye and using prescription glasses hasn't helped his lazy eye condition. The eye looks better to us but not to her. She is a specialist in this surgery and I trust her opinion. The medical professional in me is telling me to go through with the surgery .... the mom part of me is saying don't put your 20month old under eye surgery! Look for other alternatives!

I'm in a tough place and looking for other mom's opinions...esp other mom's who have been in the same spot. His diagnosis is amblyopia strabismus. We are doing online research and we are going to an eye doctor friend for a second opinion as well.

Anybody been through this procedure before?

Even the doctor herself said the surgery may need repeating later (multiple in some kids cases - we just wouldn't know until we got there)

And that some of the surgeries do not help at all. (which was not comforting)

I also watched a video of the surgery online. You'd think that because doing surgeries as part of my job I'd been fine with it....Nope, I cried. It really is different to think of surgery when it is your baby on the operating table...

Socialworkgirl · July 2013

I am so sorry you are having to go through this. This is probably not helpful because it was so long ago, but my DH had to have 5 surgeries for his lazy eye. I think each surgery targeted a different group of muscles--inner, outer, upper, lower, and the last was when he was 16 to tighten the muscles or something like that.

although it took alot of surgeries, I think it was a good thing. He is 29 now and his eyes look really really close to aligned now to me and we were dating before his last surgery and I could tell that they were off. Now, You can only tell they are the slightest bit off if he is really tired.

he had his first surgery at about a year old and I think his mom said he really progressed in his development really shortly after--since he could see.

again, I am sure that technology has changed a ton in 30 years, but if you have any questions I can ask DH or MIL. Good luck!

Citymom135 · July 2013

This is not about my LO but I had this surgery when I was younger (about 30 years) also around 20 months for the exact same diagnosis. Of course I don't remember anything but I remember my mom telling me it looked like I had been punched in the face afterwards. But I don't believe recovery was too difficult. She said it was best to do it younger as the eye is more adaptable....it also was impacting my balance and coordination as well. I did have to wear a patch for several years after, but just for a few hours a day. My eye is perfect now - glasses cannot correct the vision in the eye, b/c it is "lazy" but I see fine, no restrictions at all. Good luck on whatever you decide but remember it is best to do it younger. He won't remember a thing!

cedenton · July 2013

Oh, wow! I can't help, but we have an appt in two weeks to get DS' lazy eye looked at. I have one and it wasn't treated until too late to correct it. I never had surgery.

I'm hoping DS' is mild. It seems much less prominent than it used to.

Good luck!

jennicole04 · July 2013

My son had the same surgery at 11 months old. We tried patching and that wasn't helping so surgery was the next option. Our opthamalogist (sp?) said the younger the surgery is done the quicker the recovery time. It's been almost a year since he had the surgery and we've noticed a huge improvement. The surgery didn't take very long (less than 2 hours) and my son was back to his normal playful self the same afternoon.

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Lazy Eye Surgery- amblyopia strabismus

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