Eye Check-up

On Wednesday afternoon Tommy had an eye appointment with Dr. Nischal at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. We see Dr. Nischal about every three months to make sure Tom's eyes are healthy and his eye pressure (glaucoma) is well controlled.

Waiting...and waiting...and waiting. Please buzz and tell me it's our turn!

Tom was an absolute rock star at this appointment. He sat still and let the doctor examine his eyes with only minor squirming. I always tell Tom what to expect when he has a doctor appointment. It's only fair. I try to narrate what goes on in the world and medical visits are no different. I told him we were going to see a doctor who wants to look at his eyes and that the doctor will touch his eyes and his face.

This doctor and his staff know Tom well so I don't have to explain that Tom is blind to them. I always let new people know that Tommy is blind and that they should describe what they are doing and why to him. Yes, they have to talk to Tommy, not to me! Well, a little bit to me.

Dr. Nischal came in singing to Tommy. He asked me, in song, what Tommy likes to be called. Then he  addressed Tommy and said hello. Tom immediately put his fingers to his eyelids. The doctor looked at me. I could tell he was wondering why Tommy was doing that. I told him that I had explained to Tommy that you want to look at his eyes to make sure they are healthy. So yeah, Tommy knows what's about to happen and he's ready for you, doc!

It's easier to wait when you have goldfish crackers. 

The doctor used a hand held device that has a very tiny probe that touches the white of the eye to measure intraocular pressure. The doctor was able to get a pressure reading of 18 on Tom's left eye, but he was not able to access the white area of Tom's right eye due to the contact and the way Tom was rolling his eyes. Tom can roll his eyes back very far! 

Dr. Nischal was very pleased with a pressure reading of 18. Usually between 12-22 is considered a normal reading but that can vary due to differences in corneal thickness and other factors. He felt both of Tom's eyes digitally (with his fingers) and they felt the same. That is a good indicator of eye pressure as well.

I am expecting a call to schedule an evaluation under anesthesia (EUA) for a retinal examination. Hopefully, that will go as well as our in-office exam.

I am so impressed by how well Tom handled that exam. He was a real pro. At the end of the visit, Tom even sang them, "Here Comes Peter Cottontail." I guess it was only fair since Dr. Nischal always sings "The Wheels on the Bus" for Tommy.

Being good is just exhausting.