Implementation
- Implementation
- See By Three
- Physicians Participating in See by Three
- Pediatric Ophthalmologists Participating in See by Three
- Objective Screening Devices
- Adult Strabismus
- Amblyopia 411
- What is Amblyopia
- Goals of Amblyopia Treatment
- What Patch to Use
- Questions About Atropine Therapy for Amblyopia
- Amblyopia FAQ
- Economic Impact of Blindness from Amblyopia
- See by Three Progress
- Eyecare for Kids
- See by Three Graphic
Zoe’s Story
Zoe’s Mom and Dad noticed Zoe's eyes turning in when she was about 8 months old. They brought it up to her pediatrician at their next appointment, fully expecting to be told that it was completely normal, because that's what the pediatrician always said when they brought up any first-time parent concerns. However, that was not the case. Zoe’s Mom says, “I'm forever grateful our pediatrician suggested that we follow up with a pediatric ophthalmologist.”
At the pediatric ophthalmologist, it was determined that Zoe had accommodative esotropia, and she got her first pair of glasses the day after Christmas when she was 14 months old. Zoe’s Mom was terribly upset and scared when she first learned that she would need glasses. Zoe’s Mom recalls, “I worried mostly about the practical questions: How would I get a toddler to leave glasses on? How would I keep track of her glasses when I'm always losing my own? What happens to glasses when a toddler throws one of her tantrums?”
Zoe’s Mom was also scared that the glasses wouldn't fully correct her eye turn and that she would need surgery, and she was afraid that people would always see her as the "baby with glasses" and not the wonderful Zoe that she knew.
Zoe’s Mom and Dad have had their fair share of struggles with the glasses and getting Zoe to wear them, but they never lost them. However, their fears were realized when they learned that the glasses would not resolve her esotropia. After four different prescriptions in six months, it became clear that surgery was necessary. Zoe had strabismus surgery in August 2008, at 22 months. Zoe’s Mom remembers the surgery, “The surgery wasn't easy, but I think it was probably harder on us than it was on Zoe. A few days after the surgery, she was out playing, and already more adventurous on the playground than she had been the week before.“
Zoe’s Mom is pleased to report that two years after the surgery, “Zoe's eyes remain straight, and she still wears glasses. She is known as the "girl in glasses" but it hasn't stopped anyone from getting to know her.”