Kate's eye

We noticed a few months ago that one of Kate's eyes tended to "wander." It mostly happened at breakfast, or when she was really tired. We didn't think much about it...until it started happening more. It didn't seem to bother her that we could tell, except she would rub it or blink to make it go back to "normal." So after consulting our pediatrician we went to a pediatric eye doctor who diagnosed her with "exotropia." Basically, she has a wandering eye that drifts out. After our first appointment, the doctor told us to monitor her to see if it was getting worse (drifting out more). We definitely started noticing that her eye was drifting further out and staying out for greater amounts of time. When this happens, she has double vision. The brain suppresses the image from the deviating eye resulting in the her seeing with only one eye. The reason Kate rubs her eye is to prevent the double vision.

So after our last appointment, the doctor recommended it was time to have strabismus (eye muscle) surgery. Basically, he is going to move her muscle to help Kate maintain straight eyes and enhance her eyes working together. The longer a child goes without the surgery the more difficult it is to completely cure. The child's brain "adapts" to this abnormal relationship and restoration of using the eyes together is harder to restore.

I am writing all this out because several people have asked the details of what is going on.

We have scheduled the surgery for Friday, March 4th. It is a 10 - 20 minute outpatient procedure. Kate will be back to normal activities within a few days. She will have red eyes and swelling for 10-14 days. We will know the outcome of the procedure within 6 weeks.

Thank you so much for all of you who are praying for our sweet girl (and her parents).
Here are some specifics you can be praying for us.
1. That the procedure would be 100% successful. Due to Kate's age, there is 20-25% chance we might have to have another procedure later.
2. That the redness and swelling will be kept to a minimum and that she will heal quickly.
3. Pray that we all survive the morning...Kate's surgery is not until 11:30 or 12. She can't eat anything 8 hours before and can't have any liquids 3 hours before. For our child who confirms breakfast every night before we go to bed, "oatmeal after nap" "milk after nap" this is going to be a shock! Thankfully the nurse told me that she can have Jell-O.
4. We aren't going to talk to her about the surgery until 1-2 days before. Pray for wisdom on how to talk about the surgery with her. And pray for us (especially Mommy) to be strong for her.

Most people have told us they have never noticed her eye drifting. I took this picture tonight before bed. This is what it looks like when it is out. It happens really fast and you probably wouldn't notice if you weren't looking for it.

Thanks again for your prayers!