it paid off

Tuesday Caleb had another eye appointment.  This was about the sixth appointment since early October when we learned that his amblyopia was going to require all day, every day patching.

After several visits hearing "We're still seeing progress, lets give it five more weeks at all day," we had stopped hoping for each visit to be the last.   So much so that I didn't even stop to take pictures before we left Tuesday morning.

The following is a staged shot of how he looked before we left...

But we got some great news.  The past 5 1/2 months of sticking to it paid off!  Vision in his weaker eye went from 20/150 (with corrective lenses) to 20/20.  His eyes are now balanced when he is wearing his glasses.  

Making him wear his patch was so hard in the beginning.   He'd cry that he couldn't see after we put his patch on.  Some mornings he'd beg me not to make him wear it.  Most days he'd ask if it could come off by dinner.

But I knew it was in his best interest.  So I made him wear it.  All day.  Every day.  

(Except while we were in Disney.  At our January appointment we'd been given hope that February would bring no more patches.  His vision had greatly improved, but with both loss of periphery vision and the irritation of a sweaty patch on his face, I decided that vacation would be a break for my boy.  When I promised our ophthalmologist at the February visit that we'd faithfully continue but not at Disney,  he pretty much didn't know what to say to me at that point.  So he agreed.  I think he saw the look of determination in my eye.  At least I was honest.)

Tuesday his doctor turned to his assistant and said, "See, this is what happens when you have patients ~ and parents of patients ~ that listen to you."  I wanted to tell him that in exchange for transition lenses that Caleb could be his amblyopia poster child.  

My boy is thrilled to be done with patching.

Me?  I think I may actually miss his firetrucks, dinosaurs and aliens.  I sorta got used to his one eyed grin.

But I think I'll get used to this one again too.