Strabismus and Ambloypia - Take Two

Six weeks ago, Jay was upstairs getting Henry ready for bed when he called out for me to come see something. Lying there, looking up at Jay, Henry's left eye kept rolling in and crossing - unable to focus on Jay from that distance.

Sadly, I had noticed this little crossing of his eye a few times previously, but had dismissed it as something I was hypersensitive about. I told myself that, sometimes, kids eyes do cross and I shouldn't freak out about it. After all, the crossing was minor and happened only rarely.

Looking at him on that changing table, however, I knew that I could no longer deny that Henry's vision wasn't o.k. I made the call to the pediatric ophthalmologist the next day.

At first, those who saw him often couldn't tell. But gradually, they noticed his left eye turning in as well and all that was left to do was to wait and see what the diagnosis and treatment would be. Would Henry need patching, like Sam did? How in the world would that kid keep a pair of glasses on?

Last Monday, Henry had his appointment and the doctor diagnosed him with Stabismus and Ambloypia very quickly. I'm sure having an older brother in glasses made it that much easier for him and I admit that this time, I don't feel as distraught as I did with Sam's diagnosis. It was so hard for me with Sammy. I mourned his cute little three year old face, his lens-free brown eyes and worried about teasing and taunting from his peers.

I suppose everything is easier the second time around. I feel very matter-of-fact about this. Henry will wear glasses. He'll see better. He'll be fine.

We picked up his glasses this morning and it's already been quite the challenge keeping them on his face. He can't understand why I don't think it's a game and cries when I tell him to "leave them alone." I think I'll just have to stick close to him today and maybe after today, or soon thereafter, he'll adjust and forget about them. I hope so.

They do make his eyes appear huge. He looks strange to me right now, but I know it's only a matter of time when he'll appear strange without them. Just like Sammy.