Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month.  You probably didn't notice since NFL teams aren't accessorizing in green like they do for Pinktober.  (Greenuary, anyone?)  Glaucoma isn't life-threatening like some conditions, but it could have stolen our son's eyesight.  Having lived through the experience of battling the condition on his behalf (he was only 3 1/2 months old when diagnosed), it's a pretty significant part of our journey with Carter.

We were invited to collaborate with other parents who have experienced/are experiencing Pediatric Congenital Glaucoma at Amplatz Children's Hospital (where Carter received his treatments).  We were unable to attend, which was a bummer because not many others can relate to words like "trabeculectomy" and "goniotomy".  Glaucoma is relatively rare in children, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 births.

Many people ask us about the initial diagnosis.  HOW DID YOU KNOW?  Well, we didn't.  It's not like you look at your fussy baby and think, "Hmm...they must be crying because his/her corneas are ripping apart from extreme pressure!"  This is how it went down:

Carter's eyes began to appear bleary and red, all the time.

Carter began to close his eyes in any kind of light.

Carter would scream when placed on his back.

We thought he had a scratch, so the doctor prescribed drops...which made him scream bloody murder.
There was no change in their appearance, so we took him to our regular pediatrician.
The pediatrician referred us to her friend, an eye doctor here in town.
The eye doctor was suspicious of possible glaucoma, so she referred us to the specialist under which she had completed her residency....who happens to write the textbook on Pediatric Glaucoma...literally.
The surgeon (in St. Paul) gave us an affirmative diagnosis and scheduled Carter for surgery.
He went in for surgery at 7 months old, a double goniotomy. 
Two months later he had another surgery, a trebeculectomy in one eye.
Carter had to wear arm braces to prevent him from touching his eyes.
Following his procedures, we trekked to the cities every 6-7 weeks for a pressure check under anesthesia.
At 11 months old, he received his first pair of prescription glasses.
After a year of follow up, he was given a "thumbs up" and we were released from the surgeon's care.

Though the worst is likely behind us, we are diligent with periodic check-ups to make sure his pressures don't spike again.  Though Glaucoma (in later years) is not curable, you can slow the progression with treatments.  But early detection is key to keeping your eyesight in tact!  Here's my PSA for the day:  The Glaucoma Research Foundation recommends that you check for Glaucoma

• before age 40, every two to four years
• from age 40 to age 54, every one to three years
• from age 55 to 64, every one to two years
• after age 65, every six to 12 months

Here's to happy, healthy eyes!