Good checkup at Moorfields today

We had a really positive meeting with our doctor at Moorfields today regarding the status of Aaron's congenital glaucoma! Adam and I had thought the cloudiness was clearing in Aaron's corneas but were worried we were being too optimistic; however, the doctor confirmed our diagnosis. We couldn't have asked for better news at this stage, super happy with these results after the roller coaster of emotions the past week.

We must have looked like something the cat dragged in when we turned up for our appointment at the Richard Desmond Children's Eye Centre, as Aaron was up and down all night last night. Not sure what was keeping him up but Adam and I had to pull every trick in the book to get Aaron back to sleep, including Ewan the Sheep (had to dig him out of the closet) and the bloody hairdryer as well - three times (I'm guessing we won't be getting a Christmas card from the people next door this year). He kept trying to rub his eyes so I think it's fair to say that us pinning him down didn't exactly soothe him back to sleep.

Our visit to Moorfields started with a new gentleman calling for us instead of our usual doctor but he was quick to explain that he was working closely with our doctor and would be part of Team Aaron - the more the merrier! He knew everything about our case and went through all of Aaron's prescriptions with us, answered questions and had a look at Aaron's eyes (Aaron was peering out from the folds of my shirt as he'd just woken from a nap but was very keen to be part of the action). The new doctor liked what he saw in terms of the cloudiness being reduced and was kind enough to take a special look at Aaron's left eye, which we managed to get pears in during breakfast this morning and I was sure it was going to blind him worse than the glaucoma (he's fine).

The new doctor also told us why Aaron's probably rubbing his eyes - the sutures are starting to dissolve. It's totally normal and there are enough sutures that restless babies can't undo hours of surgical precision with one fell swoop.

Our usual doctor joined us in the room at that point and echoed the happy diagnosis, the corneas were clearing which means the 360 degree trabeculectomy is working! He explained that our next steps for treating the congenital glaucoma would include weaning Aaron from the drops he is on (an antibiotic and a pressure reducer) followed by an in-depth eye exam, which must be done under general anaesthesia, where they will look at Aaron's pupils, optic nerve, the healing from the sutures and the pressure in the eye.

If the pressure is down once the drops have been discontinued, we will then see the orthoptist about any necessary patching, glasses, etc.

If the pressure is still high, they will put Aaron back on some form of pressure-reducing drops and wait until he's a bit bigger before performing another surgery that will involve a tube implant to help with the drainage. The doctor told us that if the pressure is high and the optic nerve is in good shape, we'll wait a bit longer as it's better if Aaron has a chance to grow before getting the implant. However, if the optic nerve is not so great they will do the surgery quicker.

It's worth noting that in no case will we be riding off into the sunset with no further visits regardless of the December outcome (I sort of knew that but I asked anyway just in case). Aaron will need monitored for a long time (forever?) to make sure the pressure stays down.

All of the news today was positive but we were particularly excited to hear that we don't have to pin Aaron down every time he rubs his eyes. Here's to hopefully a good night's sleep!