Ophthalmologist ~ Second Opinion

We decided after Cole's 2 year appointment with the pediatrician to get a second opinion from an alternative ophthalmologist.  We have noticed that Cole often walks into things (posts, fences, people).  I noticed that he usually looks down when he's walking, as if he's looking at his feet.  Given he has only been walking for 2+ months we were hoping his issues are due to being unstable and needing to watch where he is walking (especially due having low tone).  He is a lot more stable when he walks now (on flat ground anyway) and is running a lot more often.  So running into things is becoming a little more common and he hits harder when he does run into something (or walks right off curbs).  Additionally, we have noticed that he won't watch TV but if I give him the iPad or my phone he will hold it about 2 inches from his face and watch for 20 minutes.

Both Johnny and I were hoping that Cole's prescription may be wrong so we could correct the problem easily.  We met with Dr. Butera at The Eye Center (where Tiger Woods had his surgery).  I guess we should be happy with the appointment because she agreed with the course of treatment that Dr. Jeffrey has recommended and her diagnosis. 

I'm still trying to understand how he has a prescription to correct the visual issues but still walks into things.  I was told to remember that he has a very rough history with 3 major issues with his eyes and can't expect him to have good vision.  Personally I don't think it is asking too much to just have him safe....but I was reminded that "time will tell us how well he's going to be able to see."  His biggest challenge is that one eye is farsighted and the other is nearsighted.  So after several months of feeling really good about the fact that he is growing and developing, we are once again faced with a "wait and see."  There is still no certainty that he will be able to sit in a mainstream classroom and be able to see the board.  But there are so many amazing technologies these days, that we are hopeful he could have visually assistive devices that would help him.

I reread my journal entry from our ophthalmology appointment last year at this time and had forgotten how bleak our outlook was for his eyesight.  So once again, I find myself trying to remind myself that it could be worse.  And trying to be thankful that he is able to walk, able to talk, and able to smile when he sees my face.  With every discouraging visit to a doctor, I try to look on the positive side.  He does have some ability to see and for that we need to be thankful.

And with that, I am off to bed thinking about my day tomorrow - on top of a full day of work I need to start reviewing the new health insurance policy we will have in January.  With the list of specialists we have, it may be an all day activity to see what will be covered and what new problems we may be facing.