Bella's Beautiful Hazel Eye's...

What is Strabismus?

Strabismus is a visual defect in which the eyes are misaligned and point in a different directions. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other eye turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. The eye turn may be constant, or it may come and go. Strabismus is a common condition among children. About 4% of all children in the US have Stabismus. It can also occur later in life.

One of the most common types of Strabismus is Exotropia.

Exotropia, or an outward-turning eye, occurs most often when a child is focusing on distant objects. The Exotropia may occur only from time to time, particularly when a child is daydreaming, ill or tired. Although glasses, exercises, patching, or prisms may reduce or help control the Exotropia in some children, surgery is often needed.

The reason that I have explained what Strabismus; Intermittent Exotropia is, is because Bella has it. This is the information that I got from our Pediactric Ophthalmologist Dr Joan Robert.

I noticed a slight difference in Bella's eyes a few months back. We took her to Dr Roberts and at the time she was too young for treatment. Actually there isn't really that many treatment options for infants other than surgery.

The first time we took her to see Dr Roberts, Bella was favoring her right eye but had complete control over the Exotropia. She was controlling it. That's according to the Dr and why they get paid the big bucks because I couldn't tell. The Dr was able to get a ton of measurements due to Bella's curiosity. Measurements they do not usually get until they are two years old.

This time when we went to see Dr Roberts, Bella still slightly favored her right eye but was equally doing it with both eyes. This was a good sign because if she is doing it with both eyes than one eye won't loose vision.

Bella also fits the criteria to enroll in a clinical study; Intermittent Exotropia Study 2 (IXT2). There isn't any proof that treatment (patching) has any effect on children. Bella needed to be one before we could enroll her. She was entered and randomly chosen for patching treatment (she could have been chosen for no treatment, just observation). Which means during the next year she will have to see Dr Roberts every 3 months. She will do patching of the eyes every day according to what Dr Roberts decides and Mommy will have to monitor and record her patching hours and progress on our special calendar.

If at any time Dr Roberts feels or we feel she needs surgery or any treatment outside of the Study, she will be pulled and receive proper treatment.

This was our first week of patching and it went very well. Bella doesn't even notice the patch. It was a little tricky to explain to Kylie and Kylie didn't like it at first. She was really concerned about Bella.

Since they are twins, we also had Jaxson tested. Jaxson does not show any signs of Strabismus. His eyes are fine.

This trip to Dr Rorberts was a little tricky because I had to bring Jaxson so he could be tested too. They get their eyes dilated and we have to wait 45 mins before the second part of the exam. Since we (our stroller) so big we get the biggest exam room and instead of going in an out of the waiting area during the eye dilation we just remain in the room. That works for me, to keep them entertained and fed while we wait.

During the exam they have a TV and a Dancing drum playing bear across the room that they control with a button on the floor. Where ever they need them to look they just have a toy that makes noise or the TV comes on with Barney. Both Jaxson and Bella did great.

This is our exam room...

Here is Bella with her stylish patch and a cheese doodle for distraction.

She doesn't even notice...

They still argue over toys. Here Bella is happy because she got the burper cloth back from Jaxson after he stole if from her. Jaxson however is not happy she got it back.

On spaghetti night no one cares about the patch...

This is the difference between Jaxson and Bella's eating habits. Or maybe it's just a boy/girl thing?

She is so neat and he is just not!

That's the story behind Bella's beautiful hazel eyes. I figured I needed to explain since she must wear her patch, One day on her right eye and two days on her left eye, everyday for 3 hours. That means with the number of pictures I take she is bound to be wearing it in a few.