Son has multiple retinal detachments

My son is 16. Born with cataracts in both eyes. Multiple surgeries; originally to remove the cataracts and to combat glaucoma. Lost the rt eye as he had a detached retina at age 7, could not be saved. Shortly there after the left detached. Dr. Thatch reattached and used a sclera buckle with lasering to secure it. Successful. As time went on he developed keratopothy where his cornea was calcifing. A corneal traqnsplant was done July 2008, successfully, and he could see better than he ever. In february his retina dettached and was successfully reattached but because of scar tissue pulling on the retina it dettached again. A bleeder formed and lifted it off. It has been reattached, two weeks ago. All he sees right now is light, some faint shapes and forms and some motion.

I realize he may be going blind and always felt if I could get him to 20years of age before all this happened it would be successful. But I am n oit willing to conceed yet. Dr Elliot from USC Doheny Eye Clinic in Los Angeles, CA performed the surgery. Says it is a 6 month recovery.

I know his retina was obviously shocked. What can we do to help him? Medications, nutrition ect.??

Sincerely,
Mike Mooney

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The prognosis for useful vision is very guarded. I would suggest you as Dr. Elliot to help you contact a social worker familiar with blind function/rehabilitation/resources.  Most states have agencies to helpf the visually handicapped/legally-completely blind.

In terms of for the eye its not likely to be helped by anything other than a good diet and healthy lifestye habits.

I have a very good friend whose sister was born with bilateral malignant eye tumors. Both eyes were removed in the first year of life. She graduated first in her class from high school and went to law school. She is a practicing layer, married and the mother of two healthy children.

Life gives you lemons you can make lemonade or you can make lemon concentrate. Good luck to you and your son.

JCH MD

[berrywoo]

It doesn't matter at what age vision loss occurs he'd still be faced with the same challenges. In fact, it may be better now, when he's younger so that he'll be better able to adapt.

It will definitely be a big adjustment and learning the necessary skill to function in such a visually oriented society will be difficult, but it can be done. With proper O&M training, he can get around on his own, with the use of screen readers he can access the web, he can learn Braille to read and write, and with proper support from family and friends nothing is impossible (except driving).

Take Dr. Hagan's advice and contact your local state agency for the visually impaired. They will have the proper resources your son will need to succeed.

The recovery from surgery will take a long time. However, the sooner he starts to cope and learn new ways of doing things the better.

From my own experiences I can certainly relate to what your son is going through. I wish him the best of luck.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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