childhood glaucoma

[4riscorn]

Jacob, our 11 yr old son, cornaddict on here, was diagnosed with the early stages of glaucoma. Does anyone on here know much about childhood glaucoma? I read where taking prednisone can cause it. He had a bad case of poison ivy last month and had to take prednisone. So now I am worried because not only did they say he had glaucoma but also his eye sight has gotten much worse and it has only been a year since his last exam. I wore contacts/glasses until last June then I had the lasilk surgery which was the best thing ever! I am so glad I did it. But Jake won't be able to do it until he hits 18 they said and by then the glaucoma could have taken his eye sight! :crying:

 

[Lucille]

Here is a suggestion:

There is absolutely nothing wrong with gathering information and experiences here. This board unlike others has a community feel to it and I myself would feel at home asking other parents for feedback.

But at the same time, one must in the case of glaucoma use a multi pronged approach. It is one of those deals where early advice is better.

I have found a starting point that I think may interest you: http://www.evms.edu/evms-thomas-r-l...-center-for-ocular-pharmacology-the-team.html

My approach if I were doing this fact gathering myself would be to call the chairman and explain you are a parent, and get referrals. Teaching institutions are often on the cutting edge with knowledge of breakthroughs and resources beyond what a local doctor may have to offer.

I would ask for his/her opinion on the best facility in the world for glaucoma and then I'd call over there and just sponge up all the info and resources you are offered.

Remember that doctors are exactly like other people as are their secretaries, they all have off days. Be courteous but approach from another person or direction if one does not give you the answers you need.

My thoughts and prayers as one parent to another go with you on this journey for information.

 

[danielle]

Wow never heard of a child with glaucoma I am very sorry. My son takes prednisone regularly because of his asthma so thanks for the heads up I'll be looking into that link between the two. I would look for a Children's Hospital in your area and contacting many different ophthalmologist's for a well rounded opinion of surgical options. Other than that my thoughts are with you and your family

 

[sinisterserpents1]

Geez Gini, I am so sorry to hear this bad news. I've no knowledge of children with glaucoma. If lasik surgery could fix it and with a parents consent it looks like they could do the surgery. But I have no kids, and no experience in this kind of situation. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm here if ya need me =)

 

[4riscorn]

Here is a suggestion:

There is absolutely nothing wrong with gathering information and experiences here. This board unlike others has a community feel to it and I myself would feel at home asking other parents for feedback.

But at the same time, one must in the case of glaucoma use a multi pronged approach. It is one of those deals where early advice is better.

I have found a starting point that I think may interest you: http://www.evms.edu/evms-thomas-r-l...-center-for-ocular-pharmacology-the-team.html

My approach if I were doing this fact gathering myself would be to call the chairman and explain you are a parent, and get referrals. Teaching institutions are often on the cutting edge with knowledge of breakthroughs and resources beyond what a local doctor may have to offer.

I would ask for his/her opinion on the best facility in the world for glaucoma and then I'd call over there and just sponge up all the info and resources you are offered.

Remember that doctors are exactly like other people as are their secretaries, they all have off days. Be courteous but approach from another person or direction if one does not give you the answers you need.

My thoughts and prayers as one parent to another go with you on this journey for information.

Thank you for the information!

 

[4riscorn]

Wow never heard of a child with glaucoma I am very sorry. My son takes prednisone regularly because of his asthma so thanks for the heads up I'll be looking into that link between the two. I would look for a Children's Hospital in your area and contacting many different ophthalmologist's for a well rounded opinion of surgical options. Other than that my thoughts are with you and your family

That is what we plan on doing. The bad thing is that my in-laws took he and my step-daughter to get their glasses, eye appt too. So I have no record of it at all. My mother-in-law didn't go back in the room with him either so he just got pieces of the story and when the doctor talked to my mother-in-law, she didn't understand the entire thing I think...she isn't all wrapped together too tight so who knows what was really completely said. According to the MIL, she said the doctor said we need to watch out for it but not to be too overly worried..hello...glaucoma...nothing to worry about...yea right!!!

 

[4riscorn]

Geez Gini, I am so sorry to hear this bad news. I've no knowledge of children with glaucoma. If lasik surgery could fix it and with a parents consent it looks like they could do the surgery. But I have no kids, and no experience in this kind of situation. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm here if ya need me =)

I had never heard of it before. It was the first time they ever tested him for it. I didn't have that test done until I was in my late teens and haven't had it done since...probably will be though since I am in my 40's now. I don't know if the lasik will correct glaucoma or not. He said he likes his glasses and doesn't want the lasik even when he can get it. The reason they won't do it until after 18 is because the eyes change a lot during the early years..kind of like shoes sizes. They even told me that mine may change once I hit 45 in 3 years. I wish I would have had the money for the lifetime commitment so they could go in any time and correct them for little to no charge. After June 26th, if anything changes, I will have to pay the almost $3K again. I have to go back before then to make sure everything is good and if not, I have to pay $200 for corrections. We are going to get a second opinion on Jake's eyes though. I just don't like it that I didn't hear the whole story from the horses mouth.

Thanks for your prayers!!!

 

[ceduke]

Oh, how awful!! I have no knowledge that might help, but I'll be sending good vibes.

 

[wstphal]

I can help a little. Prednisone for a few days for poison ivy isn't very likely to be the cause of the glaucoma. Lucille gave you great advice. At least in adults it isn't. If EVMS & Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters is within driving range, I would get an appointment for your child at their facility for an expert opinion. CHKD is a teriary referral hospital for children and is going to have people who know about glacuma in children, and they would send you on to an even more specialized expert if needed.

LASIK is surgery to correct vision/need for glasses. It does NOT cure or treat glaucoma. Because kids' eyes & their glasses prescriptions change so fast, the LASIK surgery isn't for kids, not because of consent issues because obviously parent or guardian could sign for it, but because the patient will end up having repeat LASIK surgeries when their eyes change.