Hallie's Story

 At Hallie's one-week doctor’s appointment, her cloudy corneas, which had been previously dismissed, caused some concern for her pediatrician. Hallie’s parents, Brett and Caitlin, were then sent to a Pediatric Ophthalmologist that afternoon. After a difficult unanesthized exam, the Ophthalmologist pre-diagnosed Hallie with bilateral Peter's Anomaly.

Peter's Anomaly is a condition that develops at around 13 weeks in the womb. Misformed or absent anterior chambers in the eyes cause  glaucoma. Many times, the high pressures behind the eyes cause the interior membrane of the cornea to rupture, allowing fluid to become trapped between the two membranes of the corneas. 
 
After hearing of this news, Hallie’s parents were then sent to the University of California, Davis Eye Center where Hallie was first seen by a glaucoma specialist. After an EUA (Exam Under Anesthesia) and at just under two months old, Hallie had Ahmed Drainage Tubes placed behind each of her eyes to act as the misformed anterior chambers. The tubes brought her pressure readings down almost immediately and they have remained at ideal levels.
 
Her parents then met with a cornea specialist, also at the University of California, Davis Eye Center, who advised that Hallie should receive corneal transplants in both eyes. Trusting in the doctor's professional experience with this procedure, her parents decided to proceed with both transplants. Hallie received her first transplant at three months and her second at four months. Almost a year later, Hallie's transplants have shown no signs of rejection. 
 
Hallie, now at fourteen months old, is slightly near-sighted and has worn glasses sinc e about six months of age.  She favors her  right eye as it was the first to receive a corneal transplant, but with the help of her Pediatric Ophthalmologist, she’s working to "even out" her sight in hopes of avoiding surgery. 

Hallie’s parents are very grateful to her Pediatric Ophthalmologists and go on to say, “We have never met such a caring team of doctors who took in our family like their own during one of the most difficult times of our lives. We feel as though it is through research funded through organizations such as The Children's Eye Foundation that Hallie's Ophthalmologists can continue to give her the best medical care available in Opthalmology.”


To show their support for the Children’s Eye Foundation, Hallie’s parents have selected the CEF as their chosen sponsor for the OC Half-Marathon. The Children's Eye Foundation is very thankful for being honored and encourages other parents who want to give back to do the same!