The day before we have a look at the symbols on the eye chart to practise quickly, so we are sure that she knows the names of them all.

Alma is completely ready for what, for her, is just a very normal situation. “What do we do now?” she asks repeatedly after having a light shone in her eye, having looked up at the eye chart, or having looked into the eye equipment. She clearly knows the procedure and makes the check-up much more interesting with her quirky comments and love of touching things. She always manages to make the adults in the room smile.

Two steps forward and one step back

For the last few years it has been a real treat to attend these check-ups, because she has repeatedly surprised us in a positive way in terms of how her vision development has progressed. This time it was a bit of a set-back instead. Her bad eye was measured to have 50% vision … when she took a look at the eye chart, there were a few discrepancies that resulted in a vision score of 66%. It boded rather well … for now …

We were aware that there was a risk that therapy on the bad eye could have an adverse effect on the healthy eye, because there is a risk that the healthy eye will not be stimulated sufficiently when covered with an eye patch. Unfortunately, this seems to be the case with Alma. Since we had been in for an emergency check-up just six weeks ago, when everything seemed to be fine, we were not fully prepared for today’s result. Her healthy eye, which she should be able to see 100% with, was measured to be able to see just 66% … UGH!

We have reduced the amount of time Alma uses her eye patches, so she gets more time to use both eyes together. We are going for an extra check-up in three or four months to see if the change in vision therapy strategy improves the vision in the healthy eye.

She has only just had her third birthday, so we are optimistic about being able to strengthen her healthy eye – whether it will be at the expense of some of the sight of the bad eye, only time will tell.

We ended up leaving with a new prescription receipt for a new pair of glasses. These were certainly needed, to say the least. Life as a pair of glasses on the nose of a two-year-old has been tough.

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Indlægget A Delicate Balance – That Fluctuates blev først udgivet på Vision4Kids.

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Indlægget Unbelievable … 50% Vision! blev først udgivet på Vision4Kids.

Alternative treatment

There wasn’t a second of doubt in our minds that eye surgery was necessary for Alma in terms of removing her congenital cataracts in the hope of her regaining sight in her bad eye. But we were also prepared to try alternative treatments if these could help assist her in any way. After some research and having spoken with therapists, we came to the conclusion that we would try acupuncture (performed by a specialist in the treatment of babies).

The doctors’ opinion

The doctors at the hospital did not think it would make a positive difference. But more importantly, they did not think it would make a negative difference either.

Experience with Acupuncture

We chose a course of acupuncture that involved going to Copenhagen with Alma every day for 10 days in a row. Every day she would have two treatments involving having needles in both hands and feet. The first and last treatments were also in the forehead.

Putting needles in a nine-month-old baby

I was excited to see how Alma would react to the needles. She cried a little at a single needle in her forehead, but all the other needles went in without any problems or resistance. They were somewhat thinner than regular needles, as shown in the picture. They were placed at an angle, so they were flush with her skin and did not stick out into the air. A plaster kept them in place. The top picture shows Alma sitting and playing with needles in her hands and feet, which are covered in a plaster.

Health supplements that support vision development

After speaking with a phytotherapist/herbal therapist, we have made sure to include the following health supplements at the breakfast table a couple of mornings a week, as well as taking a daily multivitamin pill.

The effect of acupuncture
We are unsure as to whether there has been a positive effect as a result of the acupuncture treatment, nor will we ever know. There is no doubt that the main reason for her positive vision development progress lies in the use of adhesive eye patches. But it by no means hurts to explore this as an option, when looking back at how her vision has evolved. And yes … it was an additional expense even after the subsidised price, but it was worth every penny. It gave peace of mind to know that we had at least tried to do the best for Alma.

Fish oil with high amounts of DHA
Alma takes liquid fish oil called Omega Care a few times a week. It is rich in DHA, which contributes to the upkeep of normal vision and normal brain function. She takes it directly from a teaspoon. It tastes of orange, so it goes down without a problem. However, it can also be ingested in smoothies, porridge etc., which help to camouflage it.

Zinc
In addition, she takes Zinc 5 mg from KAL. KAL has created an ActivMelt tablet, which dissolves when you put it on your tongue. The tablet tastes of lemon and is perfect for people who don’t enjoy swallowing pills. Alma has no problem taking the tablet.

Blueberries
Last but not least, ever since Alma had her eye surgery, we have had blueberries on the menu on a weekly basis. Blueberries are used to treat a variety of eye problems, for example, in relation to glaucoma. Fortunately, Alma has not developed glaucoma after her eye surgery, but the blueberries are meant to support her vision in these critical years following the surgery.

Whether the amount makes a difference for Alma is impossible to know. But she loves them, and it’s not the worst snack to feed her.

When blueberries are not blueberries
I have since found out that there are several different types of blueberries, and that more often than not the blueberries in the refrigerators in shops are actually bilberries. Classic blueberries are the ones you can find in, for example, the Swedish woodland, which are blue inside, and which give off colour that is good for the eyes. Bilberries are much larger and lighter inside. Bilberries have no positive impact on eyesight.

So, as a result of simply not knowing, we have been buying bilberries for two years, which have had no impact on visual development. Since it is impossible to forage for real blueberries in their natural form, we have now started buying the frozen ones, which, in my experience, are real blueberries. I can’t say Alma complains about a blueberry smoothie every now and then.

What about you?
Do you use special health supplements for your child? Or do you have any experience with alternative treatments to support your child’s vision development? Feel free to send us an e-mail – we would love to hear more.

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Indlægget Alternative Treatment and Health Supplements blev først udgivet på Vision4Kids.

Once again, the result exceeded all expectations. The conclusion of the check-up was that Alma could now see 40% in her bad eye! As we had previously been told to expect her eyesight to reach a maximum level of 15-20%, we were elated at the latest news! According to the eye doctor, this meant that now there was the possibility that she may be able to use her good eye to read with (using aids), which had not been thought possible at the beginning of the process. So, this really was BIG news!

Adhesive eye patches – a crucial form of treatment

The professionals at the Kennedy Centre were also very excited about Alma’s progress, saying we should continue to do whatever we had been doing. We are certain that her progress is down to the use of the eye patch. We have insisted that she engage in eye patch therapy at least half of the time she is awake, and we have managed to keep this up every day so far. Some days are more challenging than others due to, for example, heat, tiredness, or sickness. We then try to compensate for those days by doing a little extra the next day.

Alternative treatment for visual impairment in children

Although the eye patch is undoubtedly the most important tool behind Alma’s improving eyesight, it has also been important for me to try other things. I do not want to sit in 20 years’ time and doubt whether I could have done more for Alma in terms of ensuring her the best possible eyesight. Some things may not have made a difference. Other things may have. I cannot always know, nor will I ever get a real answer. But at least it has not had a negative effect on the result, which means I get to worry just a little less

In the next blog post I will talk slightly more about when I took Alma to a course of intensive acupuncture when she was just eight months old (just after eye surgery), and a health supplement we have become acquainted with, which now finds itself on our breakfast table several times a week.

Are you looking for inspiration for an easier day-to-day life with adhesive eye patches? View the page: ’Tips and tricks for vision therapy treatment’.

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Indlægget 40% Vision – YES! blev først udgivet på Vision4Kids.