Third time's the charm

Today I'm sharing some pictures of my son, Matthew. I'm usually quite careful to make sure he looks his "best" for pictures. So some of the things that I am pointing out may not be so evident in these pictures. Plus M has learned to accommodate his eye alignment by turning his head or looking at us from the side.

Matthew has a myriad of eye alignment issues. Basically, he has strabismus. (lazy eye) He has had glasses since he was three years old. He's done patching for 10-12 hours a day for months. He had two previous eye surgeries.

Patching at age 5 to strengthen eye, 12 hours a day for 6 months. Second pair of glasses. Left eye went from 20/80 to 20/30.

He's always been very stoic about his eye problems. He has never complained about wearing glasses or not wearing glasses. He was patient and willing during all that patching. He trusts us and his doctor about surgery. He's just been wonderful patient.

Oct 2005 Age 7, first lost tooth, no glasses because he is working on strengthening eye muscles after second eye surgery to correct right eye going outwards.

Yesterday, he had his third surgery. This one was tough to recovery from. He cried in the surgical recovery room. His eye hurt so much that he needed three doses of morphine. This same kid cut his finger to the bone and needed 7 stitches...and never cried at all.

Nov 2003, age 5. Here's what it looks like when the patch is off. This was a few months before 1st surgery.

We got home from the hospital about noon yesterday and the poor little guy slept for the rest of the day.

April 2003, age 4 1st pair of glasses are 1 year old. Left eye starting to cross again.

Today, however, he's back to his normal self. He just looks terrible.

He has to take it easy for a few days to keep the swelling down. And he has eye drops and ointment several times a day for the next month.

Summer 2007, age 8. Left eye is going way outwards. Planned surgery for September 2007 but postponed because of ZD's deployment.

But his eyes look straight, to me at least. He has his first post-op visit on Monday.Cross your fingers....but not your eyes. But feel free to cock your head to one side.