Hi folks. My little 3 month old has a droopy eyelid that can only be fixed by surgery. While I could care less about how he looks (because he is just BEAUTIFUL to me), if the eyelid isn't fixed, it could lead to permanent bad vision (even as far as being blind in that eye). It was determined that his case is severe enough that surgery should be considered now. Since the surgery includes an artificial ligament that will be attached to his brow muscle, the surgery will have to be repeated as he ages and outgrows this synthetic ligament.
I DO PLAN TO HAVE THE SURGERY, as I realize the implications involved if I don't.
However, they want to do the surgery ASAP, and before that happens, I want to be as informed as possible about the potential complications, issues that some up, etc. just so I can be prepared and calm my fears a little. He's just a tiny little guy...
Anyone else have a kid with this issue? Did your child have surgery? How old were they? How did it go?
The Surgery was completed when he was 5 months old, and he's doing great! it was "touched up" again in April of 2008 to fine tune his lid height. He sees the ped opth about every 6th months to check the synthetic ligament and to check his vision.
Hello...Saw your request. My nephew my need surgery too. How are things going?
Thanks.
Hi! My 3 month old also has Horner's syndrome (Ptosis) affecting her left eye. Apparently it can most often be caused by something impinging on the sympathetic nerve that leads to the eye. My baby girl is having an MRI done to rule out cancer tumors. I was told by the pediatric opthalmologist that if she does need surgery to correct the problem, they usually wait until 4 or 5 yrs old unless the lid is covering her pupil. I'm not sure how severe your son's condition is but it doesn't hurt to ask the opinion of other health care providers. I know how scared you must feel. My daughter will be sedated for the MRI and they wouldn't do it until she was 3 months old. I am also taking her to a wonderful chiropractor who specialized in babies and children--Dr. Rammel at 8 Dimensions. I never thought in a million years I would ever trust a chiropractor with my baby but after doing some research, I feel optimistic that alleviating pressure on the nerve may help it regenerate and perhaps we can avoid the invasiveness of surgery. I'm willing to try all avenues. We of course will still be taking the advice of the specialist (Dr. Hong) but it feels good to have some hope that there is another option. Hang in there, talk to as many health care providers you can so you can know you have explored every option and can choose what's best for you and your son. God bless, good luck! I'll be anxious to here how everything turns out.
Hi There, my wife is a mamasource member and requested I respond, as I am an eye doctor. I am NOT a surgeon but a children's eye doctor, www.ChildrensEyeDoctor.net. Quite simply, if your child's eyelid droop impairs that eye's ability to see in any way, then surgery is required. period. I would be happy to provide you a second opinion after checking your child in person, please call ###-###-####.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Y.
My son has the same problem however, the difference between my son and yours is that they have advised me that his eyelid is not affecting his vision. They also advised me to wait until he was 16 years old because that is about the time when a human's eye stops growing. So my suggestion is to make sure you find out if it is affecting his eyesight and if it is not wait until he is 16 so he will not have to have continuous surgeries. However if it is affecting his eyesight it is best for you to perform surgery now to avoid worser complications.
Hi A.,
I am 36 years old and was born with a ptosis. I was operated on in 1973 and both my eyes look normal, even eye dr's comment. I do sleep with the one eye slightly open due to the surgery so I have always had to use an ointment at night to stop dryness. Because I was 2 when the surgery was done, vision did deteriorate in that eye. What is amazing about our bodies is my 'good' eye became stronger than 20/20 and compensates so my vision is good with both eyes. I guess I am just reassuring you to go ahead with the surgery and good luck.
A.
Hi A.,
I worked for a pediatric opthalmologist, it is quite common. I would reccomend that you get a 2nd opinion if it will ease your mind. Dr. Jane Barrett Kelly, or Megan Cody..###-###-#### @ Eye Q Vision Care. Both work with Valley Children's hospital.I know the wait to get into these two can be extrmemly long, but they are two of the best at what they do.
Good Luck
Hi A.. Many parents go through hard times like surgery. You should flip through some of the pages in the requests thing! My own boyfriend had bad eyes...we were worried about our son for awhile. My b/f had to have numerous surgeries on his eyes. He even had one when they had to take out his eye....he was about 1 1/2 years old. My mother in law told me that it was hard...but duh huh? We know you are worried about your child. I think that if your child is in danger of going blind in one eye, maybe you should do the surgery when they say to. And of course your son is beautiful!! I don't think there is any such thing as an ugly baby. They are ALL beautiful: no matter what color, disease, or hair color, or whatever!!!! You just do what is right for yoour son. Good luck!! Kiss that baby!! Best Wishes, T.
Hi A.,
Congratulations on your new baby boy! I too am the mother of two boys, and it is so wonderful. I am new to this site today and came across your question. Although, I do not know anything about this procedure, I am not new to surgeries. I will have to agree with Barbara V.. If you haven't already, the best thing to do is get a 2nd opinion, if this confuses you more, get a 3rd opinion,in fact if time is an issue set up appointment right away with with 2 or 3 doctors who specialize in this field. You will only become more knowledgable on your sons condition, and you may feel more convinced to go through with the surgery with the doctor you already have or your heart may tell you to go with another one. Hopefully it will make your decision that much easier on you. Good luck to you and your family. From the sounds of it, this is a common procedure, so I am sure everything will work out fine for your little one.
E. B. ____@____.com
