As I mentioned the other day, we went to the eye doctor. Many parents of three-year-olds don’t think about visiting the eye doctor, unless there’s a history of eye problems in your family. For parents of Preemie’s, it’s something that has to be done at least every year.
We actually started our visits with the Eye Doctor when my twins were in the NICU. Babies that are born before 31 weeks, or that are born very small under, 1250 grams (about 2 lbs,) are at risk for ROP.
ROP stands for Retinopathy of Prematurity. According to the National Eye Institute,
ROP occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and spread throughout the retina, the tissue that lines the back of the eye. These abnormal blood vessels are fragile and can leak, scarring the retina and pulling it out of position. This causes a retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is the main cause of visual impairment and blindness in ROP.
So, every couple of weeks in the NICU, the Eye Doctor would come in an examine the boys. I watched the first exam, then I couldn’t watch anymore. It’s nothing that’s painful, but it is uncomfortable, and the babies cry A LOT. They have a metal prong, which holds their eye open, then the eye doctor puts on this huge contraption on with special lenses to look in their eyes.
ROP is classified in 5 different stages. As the stage number goes higher, the condition is worse and may require intervention. My bigger guy’s ROP went to stage 2, but then resolved on its own.
My little guy, however, had stage 3 ROP, and it was not resolving. We were given two treatment options. One was special drops, and the other was laser surgery. The drops were only experimental at the time, and the Doctor recommended the surgery, so that’s what we decided. It meant some loss of his peripheral vision, but the rest of his vision would be saved.
I remember just holding my baby, and crying when I found out he had to have the surgery. He was just so little, and surgery meant he had to be sedated. We were well into our second month in the hospital, and he had been through so much already, it just broke my heart that he had to have another procedure. I knew it was for the best, though, so I just rocked him until it was time to prep for surgery.
The surgery was a success! An even greater side effect of the surgery, was that the steroids they gave him pushed him to get off all his breathing support after just a couple of days. It was the first time I saw his beautiful little face with out all those big wires. He was just down to his feeding tube. It was an amazing feeling seeming him like that.
Since our time in the hospital, both boys have been followed by the same eye doctor. It started with 3 month follow-ups, then 6 months. Finally, last year, they were both cleared for a whole year! No glasses for either.
This last appointment was with a new Eye Doctor. Since our original Eye Doctor is so good, she is really in demand. I called for their April appointment in January, and was told I needed to call back in February to see if they could open her schedule a little more. In February, I was then told it was a 6 month wait to see her, but we were put on the waiting list. Finally, I decided to call back in April, and the wait had been pushed to November unless we wanted to see a new doctor at another location.
I really didn’t want to wait, in case there was anything wrong with the boys’ eyes, and I trusted the hospital with their recommendation for the new doctor.
So, finally, we saw the Eye Doctor last week. You’ll remember it was a very long day. A half hour in the waiting room, the exam by the assistant, and the drops to dilate their eyes. We then had to wait another half hour for them to dilate, then saw the doctor. Both the Doctor and Assistant were very impressed with the boys, and even more impressed that my little guy still didn’t need glasses. He said the Eye Surgeon that did the laser surgery did an excellent job. Thank goodness!
We are cleared for another year!
I’m so relieved and happy!
Tiara says
That is a scary thing to endure especially when they are so long. I do not think I could watch it either!
Shann says
Yes, it’s so tough.
Ashley (@asilvertwig) says
Yay! Congrats on the good news and being good for another year. 🙂 I’m glad that the surgery has been successful.
Shann says
Thank you so much Ashley!
Twinlove says
When we were in the hospital someone gave us a tip “Don’t watch the eye exams…” So, we always step out for them… Our 26 weeker twin (now at 36 weeks gestation) has just reaching stage 3 in the last week so they are doing eye exams twice a week. We are now waiting to see what that means for him. Thank you for sharing your story.
Shann says
You’re welcome. If you ever have any questions or need support, I’m here.
Ashley McCarthy says
Congratulations on being cleared for another year! ROP exams are the worst! Avery had eye injections at about 2 1/2 months and still has exams every 2 weeks. I can’t wait to go a year without one lol.
Shann says
I know! Hearing we didn’t need to be back for a year was such a relief.
Ana says
I’m so glad everything went well! Preemies can have so many challenges, but it’s truly amazing how resilient they are!
Shann says
Thank you!
Angie says
I never thought about eye problems associated with premies but it makes sense. Congrats on passing this year’s check.
Shann says
Thank you!
Dina Farmer says
Nothing like getting that relief that everything is okay! i know that feeling! I was always worried about my little guy during cold and flu season. And because AZ had a high rate of Whooping Cough I was so worried about it. Due to my little guy being born at 33 weeks his Peds wanted him to get they synergis shot every month during cold and flu season. Thankfully it was only one year I always felt so bad for him! But now this guy is a healthy and active 3 year old you’d never know he was a preemie!
Shann says
Awesome! So glad he’s healthy!