[nskapk]

We are adopting a 7 year old with Lazy Eye. We know at some point his vision can't be corrected even though it may be possible to make it cosmetically better. Obviously we are concerned with his eye sight. Has anyone dealt with this and knows what we will face?

[votemom]

Our new son, age six, also has this issue. I'm curious to hear from others as well.

[MMC66]

My daughter who is eight had a lazy eye for 8 years before it was diagnosed. She has some developmental delays and she always did poorly on eye exams but was very difficult to examine. Finally this year I took her to Childrens Hospital in Boston to see a pediatric opthomologist who said she saw VERY POORLY out of her left eye. He had her wear a patch over the stronger eye for 6 hours a day over the summer. This was almost impossible with swimming, summer vacation and activities so I don't think we were able to make the full 6 hours. Anyway there was little change which was what he expected so he thinks the damage is permanent but won't be a huge handicap because she sees fine out of the other eye and wears glasses to help correct them both.

Found out during the process that my dad had the same thing diagnosed when he was around 10 he wears a patch whenever it's convenient - while reading, at the movies etc and has made some improvement over the years. I saw him wearing a patch over the years but never really thought much about it. Anyway, he's 75 now and was a physician for 45 years and never had any related problems. I guess being a jet pilot is out but other than that it's not a problem.

This is just MY experience only - I have no professional knowledge about this.

God Bless,
Martha

[roxanna425]

if it's not caught before 5 I think lazy eye can be permanent. it's hard for kids to wear the patch fo so mant hours but it's neccesary to correct the condition early.

[1moretime]

I am dealing with this with my 7 year old. He is currently wearing the patch all day, for 3 months. The pediatric opthamologist told me there is the chance improve this condition. I am seeing an improvement. At first he thought he could not move with the patch on. And getting him to attempt reading was like pulling teeth. But as soon as he realized that the patch was staying on, he came around. He does bring reading material up close to read but not nearly as close. It is getting better.

He may still need surgery but that decision is still down the road.

Good luck, find a good pediatric opthamologist.

Nancy