His eyes are perfect. No concerns there. Which means, no need for glasses. I wish the appointment were that simple, but for Truitt it's his brain that matters most. It is not about what his eyes can see, it's about what his brain can process. Also known as CVI (Cortical Vision Impairment).
Ever since Truitt was just weeks old we knew something wasn't right with his vision. He acts like he can see at times, but almost always avoids eye contact and doesn't respond well to visual tracking and stimulation. Although on rare occasion, he does respond. Which is so confusing for us. Can he see, or not see? Is it purposeful use of his vision, or simply coincidence? This new doctor gave me so much helpful insight into what Truitt may be able to see.
Dr. McGregor explained that his optic nerves are strong. Very strong for a child with CVI. What that tells us is that his optic nerves are working great to send the picture back to his brain allowing him to process what he is seeing. The more his brain understands what he is seeing, the harder the optic nerve will work to continue the process, therefore strengthening the optic nerves. Most kids with CVI that are not processing what they see have very weak optic nerves because they aren't used as sufficiently. So this a great sign for Truitt, because his are so strong we now know that he is seeing and understanding what he is seeing to some extent.
She loved to see Truitt scanning and tracking objects throughout the room. She was very impressed with how he appeared to be using his vision to become more aware of his environment. That was so good to hear. It made my heart smile. That is very common for him, he always seems to be taking everything in. Dr. McGregor also informed me that avoidance is a form of vision, and that the majority of kids with CVI out grow it. Because he is avoiding looking at faces, that are so over stimulating, it shows us that he is seeing our faces in order to look away to avoid them. Little stinker!
The quality of his vision and the accuracy is what we may never know. From what studies have shown on kids with CVI is that they seem to be looking through a constant scroll of swiss cheese. Sometimes they are looking through one big whole, other times lots of little holes making it hard for them to see very clearly. Even at times, they can't see at all. As you can understand, this is a VERY complexed condition, and we may never know fully what or how Truitt is seeing.
For me, I count my blessings that he can see at all. I'll take it.
Vision therapy, and learning what he responds too best can help to improve his vision. We are also scheduled for a VER (Visual Evoked Response) test. A VER test is a way to see what a child brain responds to visually. They will put electrodes on his brain, similar to an EEG, and show him all different kinds of visual stimulation. Including small and large objects, lights, different colors, and objects accompanied by sound. According to the responses in his brain, it will hopefully tell us a lot more about his visual responses and what Truitt can see. I'm really looked forward to that appointment.
I am so thankful that I switched him to this new doctor, for the first time I have so much hope for Truitt's vision, and his abilities to work with the vision he does have.
1 comment:
OMG HE has a Hell of a Smile what a handsome man he is.
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