Question- eye exam

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Asher is going to go for his first eye exam since he was diagnosed with mito

(Complex III defect and possible Complex I defect). This is the type of eye exam

Shoffner recommended after diagnosing Ash with mito. What do you expect at this

exam? Do they do ERG (electroretino...something)?

I know that I did not expect to see any abnormalities with Asher's audiology

exam. We were just trying to establish a baseline, but, unfortunately, there

were abnormalities with his right auditory nerve. I'm nervous that there will be

problems with his optic nerve as well.

Can anyone fill me in on how the eyes are examined? What should I prepare myself

for?

Thanks,

Anne R

[Guest guest]

Caden actually just had an ERG done 2 weeks ago. This is what happened........first we went in and they put drops in his eye to dialate it. That is what took the longest! Then we sat there in the dark so his eyes could get used to the dark so they could check night vision too. When his eye was finally ready, we put him in an infant carrier-like seat. The tech put some other drops in his eye to deaden the pain of the next step. I don't think it's really painful, they just don't want them to get their eye hurt. As I held Caden's arms, he tech then took a contact lens that was hooked up to some wires and put it in his eye. This really made him mad. It was hard to watch because the lens has a plastic casing around it. The top of it goes up under his top eye lid and the bottom part goes down under the bottom eye lid, so that it is held in place. Caden got really mad when she was putting the lens in, but he quickly calmed down after it was in and he got used to it. It looks funny, because it looks like a robot eye!!! Then they pull down a dome shaped cover with a light inside it. I held onto Caden and sang to him while they went through a series of flashing lights that he had to watch. The lens they used was a little small because the next size was too big, so it came out and we had to put it back in once, but he calmed right back down and they continued the test. I would say with the contact in, the test took about 10 min. The computer prints out a series of pictures rods and cones and waves according to how the retina reacted to the lights. It was pretty simple. With Caden being right at 1 year, they were afraid they couldn't do the test because we didn't know if he would calm down after the lens was in or not, but he did great. They didn't have any "normal" results of a 1 yr. old to compare it to, but Caden's vision was as good as a 5 yr. old's!! The ophthalmologist came in after the test and explained it all to us and told us his retinas (eyes) were fine. Hope this helps. If I can answer any more questions about it, just let me know.

Vicki ~ mom to Caden (1 yr.) possible mito

Question- eye exam

Hi,Asher is going to go for his first eye exam since he was diagnosed with mito (Complex III defect and possible Complex I defect). This is the type of eye exam Shoffner recommended after diagnosing Ash with mito. What do you expect at this exam? Do they do ERG (electroretino...something)? I know that I did not expect to see any abnormalities with Asher's audiology exam. We were just trying to establish a baseline, but, unfortunately, there were abnormalities with his right auditory nerve. I'm nervous that there will be problems with his optic nerve as well.Can anyone fill me in on how the eyes are examined? What should I prepare myself for?Thanks,Anne RPlease contact mito-owner with any problems or questions.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Vicki,

That was really helpful! I'm impressed with what a trooper Caden was - I'm

afraid Asher will have a lot to " say " to the doctors when they put that thing in

his eye. Yuck.

Glad Caden's eyes are good! Did they look at the optic nerve too?

Anne R

[Guest guest]

I bet he will let them know he doesn't like it! I hope it goes well! I remember "cones" and "rods" and one other thing.......I think it might have been optic nerve, but can't be sure. I would have to look back. Will try to remember to look at home tonight! Good luck!

Vicki ~ mom to Caden (1 yr.) possible mito.

Re: Question- eye exam

Thanks Vicki,That was really helpful! I'm impressed with what a trooper Caden was - I'm afraid Asher will have a lot to "say" to the doctors when they put that thing in his eye. Yuck.Glad Caden's eyes are good! Did they look at the optic nerve too?Anne RPlease contact mito-owner with any problems or questions.

[Guest guest]

When Leah has her eyes examined she has electrodes put on her head and then

she looks at a computer screen that flashes lines and things like that. They

then will cover one of her eyes to see how she sees out of that eye. She

also will have her eyes dialated on her next visit to see how everything

looks in there. When she had her eye surgery the doctor looked at everything

and the one thing he did notice was that she had small nerves. I think

that is what he said. Optic nerve. Her appointments go well even with the

electrodes on her head. Her vision right now has gotten better and she is

at 20/30 and both eyes 20/40. She use to be anywhere from 20/60 to 20/50

with both eyes. So improvement.

Nerenhausen

mom toLeah

Vicki wrote:

I bet he will let them know he doesn't like it!

I hope it goes well! I remember "cones" and "rods" and one other thing.......I

think it might have been optic nerve, but can't be sure. I would have

to look back. Will try to remember to look at home tonight! Good luck!

Vicki ~ mom to Caden (1 yr.) possible mito.

-----

Original Message -----

From:

AReckling@...

To:

Mito

Sent:

Tuesday, October 12, 2004 11:06 AM

Subject:

Re: Question- eye exam

Thanks Vicki,

That was really helpful! I'm impressed with what a trooper Caden was

- I'm afraid Asher will have a lot to "say" to the doctors when they

put that thing in his eye. Yuck.

Glad Caden's eyes are good! Did they look at the optic nerve too?

Anne R

Please contact mito-owner

with any problems or questions.

Please contact mito-owner with any problems or questions.

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