[speechteach42]

So at E's one year checkup the doctor felt like her right eye was turning in slightly so he referred us to a local ophthalmologist and we went. They used the eye dilation drop things and checked her out as best they could while she had a stroke over it. The doctor said she thought it was a pseudo strabismus, basically it only looked like her eye is turning in bc she had a chubby little button nose. I only had noticed it occasionally in pics not really at home talking or playing so I was happy to agree with her. They wanted us back in six months though just in case. We ended up going back today to see same lady and she said this time she did think she maybe had a touch of lazy eye but they didn't really do anything but order a prescription for atropine ointment. We are supposed to come back in two weeks and we have to put this crap in her eye for two nights before the checkup to dilate her eyes. But...I'm totally freaking out about having to put this stuff in. First of all I don't have any vision issues so the whole touching of eyeballs thing is totally foreign. Secondly, they suggested I wait until she's asleep and pull down her lower eyelid and put this stuff in. Um, really? She's not a newborn she's not going to sleep through that! Not to mention they told me at least four times that it's poison and she can't rub her eyes and then touch her mouth. She's a thumb sucker so her hand is always in her mouth and even if she did sleep throug the eyebpoking which would never happen, I would have to stay up all night to make sure she didn't rub her eyes and get some in her mouth. ***? Maybe this is standard procedure but I don't see how it's safe or practical for a kid her age. When I questioned them they looked at me like I had three heads! Grrr! Now I'm going to haul butt to Chicago and see a pediatric ophthalmologist bc I'm just not comfortable with this lady. It's obvious she doesnt work with littles very often. Has anyone else already had a vision appointment or have experience from your other kids?

[MrsLMB]

Not personally but my nephew had a lazy eye. Most of the time I see them try to correct it with glasses and it often works. The glasses help make the eye muscles stronger so the eye will stay put. Last resort is surgery. I don't remember my sister ever having to put any medications in his eye though. I would get a second opinion too. Fixing a little bit of a lazy eye shouldn't be so complicated. Also, they are really common in kids.

[-erin-]

I have no experience, but I'm totally with you on the eyeball touching. Eyeballs majorly freak me out, I would not be able to do that! And there is no way Juliet would sleep through that either, not to mention she is also a thumb sucker and sleeps facing down.

Good luck with finding another dr!

[survey77777]

Aw, sorry you have to go through all of that. My only experience is doing that sort of thing at work and giving eye drops to my nieces. It might not be as hard as you think to do it while she's sleeping, but you have to keep yourself really calm first so you don't jerk around and spazz her awake I'd be getting in touch with someone that seems to care a little bit more about the fact that you're concerned though. Good luck and kup!

[Kobain's Mommy]

Yea see the pedi eye dr. Next month L goes in. Around Christmas I noticed her left eye started wandering to the left. We took her in and the Dr called the regular eye Dr and they want her to see a pedi one. We've noticed lately she smiles, talks, and coos more the closer you are to her face. She also focuses better then so we are wondering how much she really sees.

[momoftwins]

I'm glad you are going the ped. route. There is no way I'd be comfortable putting some toxic drops in my kid's eye that could easily make way to their mouth!

Hope everything turns out ok!

[lunarmagic]

Ummm. Yeah. That would totally not work for me either.... Kate wakes up pretty much if you open her door, much less touch her in any way. And she sleeps face down. There's no way I could get drops into her eyes at night! And toxic ones?! errrr... no.

[BeckyM]

I too would see a new doc, especially about the toxic drops. I had to put ointment in Mark's eyes when he had an infection last month, and it was horrible, Thankfully ours wasn't considered toxic, since the poor lil man would immediately try to rub his eyes. It typically took 2 of us to hold him down (1 body, 1 head) while 3rd put the ointment in. I tried a few times when he was sleeping, but he'd wake every time.

[speechteach42]

Thanks for the responses girls. I'm glad you thought the ointment was kinda sketchy too, I was wondering if I was just crazy preggo nuts or not. I ended up cancelling the appoinment with the local eye doctor and we got an appointment with one of the best pediatric ophthalmologists in IL thanks to our pedi who uses him for his kids. We go in on the 28th. I'll keep you posted on what we find out.

[Brookem]

I'm late to this but wanted to say IT DOESN'T MATTER if you are crazy preggo and totally making an irrational scene or completely logical, rational in the right mommy. She is your daughter and you have every right to be in 100% control of your family's healthcare. I am so so happy you got into an awesome Ped Eye Dr.!!

Personally I am an eyeball toucher (hehe) so it doesn't bother me but one time I put some hippie version of Vicks on Violet's chest while she was sleeping and she woke up with swolen eyes because guess what? It spread everywhere in the night! I was so scared at first! It was on her chest under her fleece PJ's.

Good luck, KUP

[BeckyM]

I'm glad you got another appointment with a different doctor. Please keep us updated.