A few weeks ago I noticed that Mabel was starting to cross her eyes. It was mainly her right eye and she wouldn't do it all the time but it was enough to worry me. I made the mistake of looking online and 10 minutes later I was close to tears thinking that she had brain tumor or a sever neurological problem. Thanks Google.
Our pediatrician referred us to a pediatric ophthalmologist. When I called they said that because it was "sudden onset" they would want to see her that day.
She sat on my lap as still as a stone while they did different tests on her eyes. I couldn't believe how still she was, it was a modern day miracle. (I am hoping that same thing will happen in church one of these days!) First the technician held a small flashlight that her eyes followed and right away he said he could see her eyes crossing when he brought it closer to her face. He said that was a big indicator that she is farsighted but they would need to dilate her eyes in order for the actual doctor to do a more thorough exam. We had to go back into the waiting room for 30 minutes while her eyes dilated and even though I knew this meant she would probably need glasses I was SO RELIEVED it wasn't a more serious issue.
Once her eyes were ready we went back in and she sat on my lap as still as can be while the doctor did more tests. He confirmed that she was indeed extremely farsighted and her eyes were crossing in an effort for her to see clearly close up. He told me the technical term for this is
Accomodative Esotropia. He said that in almost all cases glasses, worn full time, treat the problem. He said that as some children get older they can become less farsighted but it's hard to tell right now whether she will need to wear glasses the rest of her life or not. We go in every few months for a check-up.
So how on earth does a eye doctor figure out a prescription for a sixteen month old who can only say 5 words? (Of course I always think of
Brian Regan) Well, he had a few different magnifying glasses, and a little flashlight, and would hold them at different distances while watching what her eyes would do. He wrote out the prescription, recommended some glasses for toddlers, and said she was the best little patient ever!
The next day Nate met us to order her glasses. The brand that the doctor recommend are called Mira-Flex...they are plastic, have no hinges, and are supposed to be pretty comfortable for kids. The woman working brought out the Mira-Flex glasses display case and got out the pair for Mabel's age. When she put these on Mabel I laughed out loud! Was she serious??!!! They just looked so big on her little face.
HELLO MR. MAGOO!
Clearly these were not going to work.
So we looked at the glasses for older kids and found some we liked. They are for 3-6 year olds so we had to order a special strap around the back that was smaller. (The Mr. Magoo pink ones above really did look like swim goggles. We were calling her Mabel Phelps while she was wearing them!)
We ordered this style (just like momma!) in a darker pink. When we first starting trying them on I made a really big deal that she got to wear glasses now just like momma. I was hoping since I wear glasses they wouldn't seem so foreign to her. She actually signed "more" when I took them off her.
(she has never done that again unfortunately!)
About one week later we picked them up!
Cutest nerd alert or what?
Then this started happening.
On and Off is now the story of my life.
And trying to keep them clean is hilarious.
Some days she keeps them on longer than others. I just encourage her to wear them as much as possible, especially when she is eating and reading.
This was when she would cross her eyes the most before.
It is pretty cute though when I am getting ready for bed and I see her cute little glasses on the shelf right next to mine. :)
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A few other Mabel updates:
Baby takes lots of adventures in the mailbox.
And on the ground. :(
She LOVES to help me "do the dishes."
She begs at least 10 times a day.
I wish she could really do dishes, that would be awesome!
Hugging the neighbor's pumpkin.
I love her.
Serious business call on the computer mouse
while sitting the Bumbo.
(she found the Bumbo in her closet and loves playing with it)
Playing at the park before baby storytime at the library:
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