Optimistic at the Ophthalmologist

Back at Lucy's 18 month appointment, our doctor checked Lucy's eyes. A student from the Medical Center was in the room as well, as Dr. B explained that Lucy's eyes looked as if they had a slight... "stra.... something-or-another, but they didn't." I admit the word was way over my head and I had no idea what she was talking about.

Once she was done explaining what she was looking for to the student, in medical jargon, I asked her what it meant. She said that sometimes when she would look at Lucy, it looked as though one of her eyes was facing outward. Dr. B was basing this on how the light reflected off of Lucy's eyes. She said that sometimes it looked like the reflection was in two different spots on each eye. But, she assured us that it was probably nothing. I just figured, I have never noticed anything, so must not be anything...

Then, at my 14 week appointment with Dr. B in March, when we went to hear the baby's heartbeat, we took Lucy. When Dr. B walked into the room, she said something about Lucy's eyes. I then reminded her that she had mentioned it once before, a long while ago. She said the same thing this time, when she first looked at Lucy the reflection of light looked off, then when she looked at her again, it appeared fine.

Since this was the second time she had noticed it, she decided to get us an appointment with a pediatric ophthalmologist. She said that sometimes if one eye is weaker, then it will try to refocus and go outward. Since Lucy is so little, she may just not know that her eye is weak.

What was supposed to be a day of pure bliss, turned to slightly concerning. I was optimistic. I had never once noticed Lucy having a "wandering eye." I was certain that it was nothing. Heath, on the other hand, was purely bummed. He gets so upset when something is wrong with Lucy. I am just so thankful for the health she does have, that I don't allow myself to get down. If the worst thing for her to live with is glasses, so be it. I can deal with that.

So, the following week, we headed to the eye doctor...I mean ophthalmologist (I will never get used to the spelling of that word; no wonder people say "eye doctor").

Lucy was in good spirits, with baby Aurora in tote.

We went back, not knowing what to expect. How do you check a toddler's eyes? You can't exactly ask her if "the apple is on or off of the table," if you know what I mean.

The initial exam was great. The doctor told me what he was looking for and Lucy passed with flying colors. Now, she had to have her eyes dilated to make sure. In the mean time, he gave me brochure. It had sad pictures in it like this:

 

I just kept thinking, "I have never noticed Lucy's eye coming even close to looking like that."

He circled what they were apparently looking for with Lucy.

"I read and thought, "Aha! Strabismus must have been the word Dr. B used." Then, I read on. The final sentence was scary!

I was hoping even more now that it was nothing. Glasses are one thing, surgery is something totally different.

Then, there was this section of the brochure.

Wow, just when I needed something comforting...I just pretended that the next paragraph about risks didn't exist. They lost me at "bleeding"...(body shiver)

We were called back again for the second exam. It looked great! :)Whew! We have to go back for a follow-up, just in case. However, the doctor thought Lucy's eyes looked great!

Talk about relief. I threw that brochure in the bottom of the drawer. I hope to never see it again. I'm staying optimistic! :)