Eye Update

Patrick has Congenital Cataracts.  His were diagnosed as a child.  He had surgery the surgery to remove the cataracts when he was 10.  Yet, he still wears (very) strong prescription glasses in order to see clearly.  He always will.

The technical definition (from here): A Congenital Cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye that is present at birth.  The lens of the eye is normally clear.

This definition confused me because of the "present at birth"...turns out it is in reference to the gene.  Not the actual cataract being present.

All of our boys have been checked at birth, and receive regular (various intervals, increasing in length each time) Opthamologist examinations.  And, in case you're wondering - they get harder for the boys each time.  Today were the next set of follow-ups, for all three boys.  At Ryder's initial appointment, the Opthamologist (one of Patrick's childhood doctors) told us that we need to get to age 3.  At that point, the risk significantly decreases.  None of our boys will ever be "safe" from not getting cataracts, and will always require yearly evaluations, but the risk decreases as a child ages.

Harvick and Jarrett were cleared.  No signs of cataracts!

Ryder's diagnosis was not the same as it has been the many times before.  He has cataracts.  In both eyes.  He will require surgery (likely within 1-6 months) to have them removed.  He will be fully sedated each time. The eye will be bandaged for a period of time (depending on the severity).

Yuck.

It was hard to hear this morning.  Ryder is up against such a mountain with his verbal expression.  Now, he has to deal with this.

Truthfully, modern technology is amazing.  And, we are able to catch it at an early age.  And, in the near 2 decades since Patrick's surgery, technology has improved enough that they will do the lens replacement surgery at children Ryder's age (even as young as 1 now).

We have already been scheduled to meet with a PEDIATRIC Opthamologist who will further evaluate Ryder's specific scenario.  We will be able to ask specific questions.  How soon is his surgery needed?  How long between the surgeries?  Recovery time?  How may it affect his vision while he is recovering?  Will he be able to participate in Speech Therapy during recovery - a lot of the therapy relies on visual cues - really, much of it.

So, for now - what we can do is pray.  Pray that Ryder's doctors will be knowledgeable.  That they are able to treat the issue - regardless of the severity.


Truthfully, the diagnosis was much harder for me to hear.  Patrick has experienced this himself.  He knows what it is like.  He has undergone the surgery, and the recovery.  And, other than being slightly terrified of stitches (I mean, really - who can blame him - he had stitches in his EYES) - he is fine.  Not a traumatizing experience.  And, we have trust in Ryder's current Opthamologist who indicated today that the long-term prognosis is good.  Ryder does need the surgery, there is no question, but following surgery he is expected to have "good vision" in the future.  "Good" does mean that Ryder will require glasses - whether it's immediate, or in a few years.

Once we know more, I will post another update...until then, we do appreciate your prayers...

And, because I can...a re-post of my cute boy...

My (oldest) baby.