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monica
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| Posted: Feb 12 2007 at 1:50am | IP Logged
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new here, just joined a few days ago. Our 4yo son has hemifacial microsomia, meaning that one side of his face didnt develop fully in utero. the main part affected is his ear, which is just a little peanut-shaped piece of skin and cartlige with no ear canal, and thus, no hearing on that side.
the other thing that has been affected is his eye on that side. it is weaker and tends to tear up when he watches TV, it may have a smaller tear duct. The dr has suggested putting a patch on the stronger eye, to force the weaker eye to work harder. we have tried to do this, but havent been as consistent as we should be. I was just wondering if anyone else had done this with their child and had any good results. we are really wanting to avoid glasses as is will be difficult to fit him for glasses with just one good ear to hang them on. also, glasses on my bouncy, tigger-wanna-be son will be quite a challenge.
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humanaevitae
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| Posted: Feb 12 2007 at 9:56am | IP Logged
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My youngest was born with a Congenital Cataract. In order to remove the cataract his lens was also removed. We put a contact lens in his eye everyday, he must wear a patch 6hrs a day, and also wear his bifocal glasses at all times. Right now this renders him legally blind in that eye but his vision will hopefully improve with time. It is still amazing to see his coping skills though!
Has your son seen a Pediatric Opthamologist? We really like the Coverlet patches as they seem to stick well. When John keeps tearing off his patch, we will put arm splints on him that won't allow him to bend his elbows. How that he is 2 we are starting to use other disciplinary techniques like timeouts just like we would use for other infractions such as hitting.
When John takes his patch and/or glasses off, he gets them immediatly put back on. Some days we go through 12 patches!  During his patch time he gets to watch videos, siblings look at books with him, and other fun activities. I so symphathize with you as it really takes a lot of time and emotion to keep putting patches back on! Sometimes I am lax over this issue so don't think you are the only parent that struggles to keep patches on. I just want to encourage you to do whatever it takes to keep his patch on-even if you have to tie/handcuff him to a chair!! 
We belong to a Yahoo group made up of other parents whose children have had cataracts and they have been so helpful and encouraging. Have you tried looking for an online support group for parents whose children have the same struggles as your son?
Anytime you want to pm me about your frustrations feel free! 
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Nicole-Zane 10, Elizabeth 7, Xavier 4, and John Patrick 2
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monica
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| Posted: Feb 12 2007 at 11:19am | IP Logged
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thanks so much nicole. its good to know im not the only one that struggles. we do have a yahoo group that has been of tremendous support and advice. i have learned so much more from them then any of the doctors.  my mom is sending us a box of stick on patches as those have been the best for us, the pirate type just didnt work for him. i will definitely email you if i need some encouragment.
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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| Posted: Feb 12 2007 at 12:25pm | IP Logged
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My two youngest have had different troubles with their eyes, and I did too as a child. Some doctors have sworn that patching will help strengthen the weak eyes, others have said that no amount of patching or glasses will help, and that surgery is the only option (with myself and one of the boys. The other may improve with exercises.). It depends in part on the particular problem (and I don't know anything about your son's particular condition), but it also depends on the doctor's opinion and the "school of thought" in which they were trained. You might want to check out a second or even third opinion.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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cheesehead mom
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My 6 year old ds was born with a persistent pupillary membrane (okay its just fun to say!)--his pupils did not fully seperate from his iris and it looks like he has a web over his iris. So from birth he has seen the world through a web--there is no surgical solution. One eye is more pronounced and weak. Increasing his glasses perscription has not worked so this summer we had the option to give him dialating drops in the strong eye or wear a patch. For a young child/infant I think the drops would be a lot easier if your doctor approves them. My son HATED the drops so has willingly worn his patch this summer. I have not seen marked improvement-though wearing the patch has made me aware of just how bad he sees out of his weak eye. We go to the pediatric opthamolgist next week so we will see what type of progress was made.
I would love to hear about anyone's experiences teaching reading to children with eye conditions. My son is doing okay but does turn the book perpendicular at times--my doc says you see that in a lot of childrne who struggle with sight.
Laura in WI
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JenniferS
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| Posted: July 23 2007 at 10:46am | IP Logged
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Two of my sons had to patch their eyes. My oldest, the patching did ot work well, and he has had surgery.
My younger son is a battle to keep a patch on, but on the days he cooperates( and I don't have to keep holding him down and putting the patch back on), I really notice that the patch helps his eye. That is one reason I am reluctant to do surgery. He has a form of strabismus, so it's not the same condition as your ds. Don't know if I am much help. Sorry.
Jen
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4Real Forums : Special Blessings
Topic: patching for vision problems??
