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looking for feedback on eye surgery for 2 year old

Linn - posted on 04/27/2010 ( 3 moms have responded )

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My 2 year old has cerebral palsy and had eye surgery about 3 months ago. We looked into other options like vision therapy, but our insurance would not cover it and we could noy afford it. Now instead of her eye turning outward it turns inward. She continues to have problems with depth perception because of this which increases her falls. Now the doctor is saying she may need more surgery. We fought to not have surgery in the first place and now one of her doctors says we would be neglecting her if we do not do further surgeries. What would you do? Are we really hurting her by not doing the surgery, even though it has done nothing to fix the problem so far? need some advice please.

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Linn - posted on 04/30/2010

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She has been seeing a pedicatric opthamologist since she was 3 months old. He was the one who did the 1st surgery. He wanted to do the surgery just after she turned 1. We didn't want her to get the surgery so young. It seemed unneccessary. Because of the CP, her muscles on the left side of her face are weaker and made the eye stray more. Before we finally agreed to the surgery one of her doctors callled her pediatrician and accused us of neglecting her. ( she has 4 doctors who see her regularly). They would have turned us into child protective services, if we had not consented to surgery. I am very frustrated because I know I'm not neglecting my daughter. I am simply trying to do the best I can for her. I don't want to see her go through more surgeries. Especially if they are not going to help her.
SHe does wear a helmet to protect her head when she falls or bumps into something. This has saved her from countless concussions since she started walking about 6 months ago.
Thanks to those who have given thier input. I'll take whatever suggestions anyone has.

Tina - posted on 04/30/2010

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I too was cautioned not to do the corrective surgery too soon, and waited until my daughter was 4. She had the surgery on both eyes and has had no further problems.

My advice would be to make sure you are seeing a pediatric opthamologist.

Kate - posted on 04/29/2010

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hi, my daughter was born with alternating squints in both eyes. my husband and i were put in touch with a fantastic ophthalmologist who cautioned waiting till she was 4 before attempting surgery(he said that if the surgery was done too early it could make things worse). she was a very clumsy child with no spacial awareness, we worried constantly about concussions.
but we took the doctors advice and waited till she was 4. everything worked out beautifully and she now looks like a normal little girl. my advice to you would be to wait a while, let her grow a little bit more and in the mean time, by a padded head piece! you wont be hurting her to wait a couple of years, but the trauma of surgeries that dont work very well could. i hope this helps. kate.

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