I mentioned that Caleb started having an eye problem about a month ago. This issue has been diagnosed as a more mild case of exotropia (both eyes). Essentially, this is an outward turning of the eyes and subsequent lack of focused vision caused by weak eye muslces. It’s typically more common to see the eyes drift inward versus outward, but both of Caleb’s are drifting out. There is really no known cause for this condition aside from it being hereditary, and it’s not caused by anything we did or didn’t do.

We have seen two different ophthalmologists, the first in Findlay and the second in Toledo, to evaluate options; both specialists said he has intermittent exotropia, but recommended a different treatment course. The first opinion we saw here in Findlay recommended a wait-and-see approach. They suggested we watch him over the next six months and just keep a close eye on how long the eyes are “sticking” outward; if it remains the same, don’t do anything. If it worsens, he would need to be seen sooner to evaluate the possibility of surgery. This approach didn’t sit super well with us, as we would just be sitting around waiting for it to get worse.

The second opinion, one of several dozen pediatric ophthalmologists in the country and highly regarded in our area (we received a number of strong recommendations), said that the best interim treatment for him right now is glasses. This is because he is actually slightly nearsighted, and the doctor feels that this will only escalate the exotropia without treatment or correction. Without the nearsighted vision, he says glasses in themselves would not be necessary for exotropia. But there is a possibility that the glasses could help maintain the exotropia and only improve Caleb’s ability to bring his eyes back into focus. It will never really go away, but remains to be seen whether he needs surgery or not, since he currently has a minor case.

As this condition almost always gets worse over time, the only long-term treatment is eye surgery to reconnect the tissues around the eye in different areas. This is still the last resort. Not taking any action, however, ultimately results in some form of “lazy eye” and vision loss when one eye starts to be favored over the other. At some point, the brain can no longer fuse the images together from each eye because they are too different. 

We also evaluated taking Caleb to Nationwide’s ophthalmology group for evaluation, but the coordination of those appointments with the BMT clinic visits is just too challenging at this point. It’s almost impossible to get them on the same day, and if you do, you’re running back and forth from one side of the hospital to the other like a ping pong ball. If only there were some “secret shortcuts” to make things easier. He may ultimately end up at Nationwide for surgery, but right now we’d rather take a frequent 45 minute drive on a separate day than double the drives back and forth from Columbus- especially since we’re about to tack on both sleep and developmental/behavioral appointments at NW (which could be reoccurring) this fall.

Today, he is not favoring one eye over the other, which is what ultimately causes lazy eye or severe/permanent vision loss- so he’s basically still able to control it . Due to the “high maintenance” nature of exotropia, the Toledo ophthalmologist wants Caleb to come back in six weeks to check his script and then again every three months for nine years…. talk about a commitment. Caleb’s new “bendy” blue square shaped glasses, complete with matching blue polycarbonate sun shades, are on the way and will be here soon. We can’t wait to convince him that they’re fun and cool to wear… NOT. Tips, anyone?

The continued theme through Caleb’s medical journey? It’s waiting. Waiting for a diagnosis, waiting for answers, waiting for good news, waiting to go home, waiting for a change of pace, waiting for healing… We will try to draw strength from the waiting. We are reminded yet again that God is in the here and now.