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Original poster

To think my baby has a potential eye muscle problem?

78 replies

babyeye · 02/09/2022 18:48

I've name changed because if I upload a photo of my daughter here then I can't so unidentifiable on other posts

I took a lovely photo of my daughter today

I was looking at her gorgeous eyes and noticed they have both fixed in a different spot 😔😔 she is 5 months old

I have to wear glasses as I've got about a -2.75 and -1.5 l and r respectively
I also get double or treble vision when tired when I read it's apparently ok and not to worry about and it's just pulling the eye muscles

Wondering if I can do something to play with her to bring eyes to move together or is this a non issue as my husband says? Thank you and sorry for the photo of my baby she is indeed cute but her eyes are in different spots if you have a look.

To think my baby has a potential eye muscle problem?
OP posts:
Staygoldponyboystaygold · 02/09/2022 22:11

Oh my word! She is so cute!!

The light is reflecting at the same point in both of her eyes which is very reassuring. My son had a squint so I do know a bit about this. He had to wear an eye patch and had two surgeries. You really would t know now, he coped with it all so well bless him. I picked up the squint as the light reflected at different points in his eyes.

Please keep us updated.

Skidaramink · 02/09/2022 22:49

PowerHits · 02/09/2022 20:04

My daughter has Duane's Syndrome in her right eye, it doesn't turn right. Diagnosed at eight months, regular orthoptic appointments until seven. She always had to sit to the right of the board/teacher.

She's twenty now, drives etc. You'd not notice it anymore as she alters her head posture slightly to compensate.

I was going to mention the possibility of Duane Syndrome too. My DD also has it! Her left eye doesn’t turn left and (before her operation) her left eye looked slightly inwards towards her nose.

OP - It’s a pretty rare condition - basically a cranial nerve missing meaning that the muscle to move an eye inwards or outwards doesn’t work.

It would be very easy to see if she has it - basically one of her eyes wouldn’t be able to follow your finger all the way if you moved it from the left to the right (or vice versa). It would get to the midline and stop.

Not a big issue at all, barely noticeable and doesn’t affect my DD other than that (as the PP says) she needs to sit on one side of the classroom.

On the off-chance you think your DD might have it then feel free to get in touch.

Whoareyoumyfriend · 02/09/2022 22:57

My son has a bilateral squint so slightly more severe than this baby. He wasn't patched. No idea why. But has glasses. He's 5.5 now and they are beginning to think about operating. It's basically just been 6 monthly check ups but nothing else involved so far

Scoobydoobywho · 02/09/2022 23:09

We noticed that our ds at about the same age his eye turned in. Took him to the doctor who said to wait as it could be weak eye muscles and to see if it corrects itself. His was more noticeable though.
It didn't go away and he got his first pair of glasses at the age of 10 months.

DoNotGetADog · 02/09/2022 23:40

Pashazade · 02/09/2022 22:11

Definitely get a referral from the doc. A normal high street optician won't be geared to checking a baby. We were under the hospital ophthalmologist until DS was 7. He has a lazy eye still without his glasses but is very long sighted. All will be fine I'm sure, glasses are no biggy in the long run, but best to get her checked. I hadn't noticed and it took my Dad to spot DS's squint just before he was 18 months.

A normal high street optician (I am one!) is in a far better position to tell you whether a child has or possibly has a squint than a GP (assuming OP is in the UK). They can also make the referral to the ophthalmologist/orthoptist as needed and they can include on that referral some measurements and points to note that a GP would not be able to make.

Pashazade · 03/09/2022 07:22

My comment was from experience and I had to be referred by the doctor to the ophthalmologist and optician at the hospital, this was not something my high street optician could do. It may be different in some areas but via the gp was the path I had to take I did not go to the gp for their opinion as I know that is not something they can assess, as I said I got a referral from them.

Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:04

@Skidaramink

She's having a little lay in going to check when she's up and come back and let you know if this happens

Going to pass by an opticians today too @DoNotGetADog and see if they see anything even if they can't make a referral @Pashazade I guess they could give a casual opinion before I try to get through to my GP who hasn't even managed to get me an appointment for her second round of injections which is very annoying

I better sign her up for Bennenden, really as it might speed things up anyway if she did have it.

I'm so grateful I'm going to read the rest of the replies now xx

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:07

Scoobydoobywho · 02/09/2022 23:09

We noticed that our ds at about the same age his eye turned in. Took him to the doctor who said to wait as it could be weak eye muscles and to see if it corrects itself. His was more noticeable though.
It didn't go away and he got his first pair of glasses at the age of 10 months.

This is exactly what I'm thinking I do not want her to miss out on things if she can have them, if she can have glasses and that makes it easier for her I want them which is why I am maybe a bit of jumping the gun it's just that god I would be sad if she could have worn glasses and been making less work for herself to see without them Bear she's a little darling and I adore her

She can see things far off and hears well but one thing I've noticed is if im very quiet and come up to her Moses basket for example she jumps when she sees me or my husband at times and I was wondering if that could be to do with her peripheral vision, too

OP posts:
MassiveSalad22 · 03/09/2022 08:08

Oh she’s beautiful!! I have a 5 month old girl after 2 boys too. Where are those pink dungaree thingmebobs in first photo from??

Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:08

Staygoldponyboystaygold · 02/09/2022 22:11

Oh my word! She is so cute!!

The light is reflecting at the same point in both of her eyes which is very reassuring. My son had a squint so I do know a bit about this. He had to wear an eye patch and had two surgeries. You really would t know now, he coped with it all so well bless him. I picked up the squint as the light reflected at different points in his eyes.

Please keep us updated.

Thank you so much for your reassurance

She's a little darling honestly as she's gotten a little older she has become more and more delightful. My son has just turned three and passed past that very very lovely baby phase and is now turning more into a little boy and the six year old is becoming more and more grown up so it's very joyful to have that phase back in our house

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:10

MassiveSalad22 · 03/09/2022 08:08

Oh she’s beautiful!! I have a 5 month old girl after 2 boys too. Where are those pink dungaree thingmebobs in first photo from??

Massive, thank you sooo much

They are second hand I'm afraid but the tag in them says Sainsburys

I've seen a few similar ones this week in Sainsburys though, with the print of the turban she is wearing.

Vest is from Gap, I get loads of clothes second hand from facebook. I got a massive massive bag for £20 the other day full of clothes, some even with tags on. I was so excited going through it.

She's a little doll!!

OP posts:
Willbe2under2 · 03/09/2022 08:12

Firstly - what a little cutie! Secondly - my dd is the same. The gp said it's nothing to worry and but has referred us to opthalmology just to be sure (not that I've heard from them yet!)

Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:12

FarmersWife2019 · 02/09/2022 22:10

I have a hereditary alternating squint (strabismus) which was diagnosed when I was 1. At 1 1/2 I had an operation to tighten the muscles in my eyes to give me more control. It is cosmetically better and I’ve worn glasses ever since (I’m 33) to control it. I remember wearing patches at home when I was primary school age. Can’t say I’ve ever noticed the squint when drunk but it happens a lot when I’m tired. My baby is nearly 8 months old so I’ll be keeping a close eye on him just in case. If you need any advice just book an appointment with an optometrist for a consultation. I’ve seen the same one all these years so having one you can trust is important.

This is a lovely and helpful reply

I would like anything that can be done that isn't too risky, to be done for her, purely for comfort as it's so annoying and such hard work when I have to shut my eye to read. It happened last night again when I was exhausted and I couldn't carry on reading my book.

I think the drunk part or had a wine part could be related to it being in the evenings when I'm tired, come to think of it!

I don't drink every night and it happens every night though, eventually, as I tire
Xx

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:13

Willbe2under2 · 03/09/2022 08:12

Firstly - what a little cutie! Secondly - my dd is the same. The gp said it's nothing to worry and but has referred us to opthalmology just to be sure (not that I've heard from them yet!)

Again very very helpful reply

Thank you for this xxx

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:14

Whoareyoumyfriend · 02/09/2022 22:57

My son has a bilateral squint so slightly more severe than this baby. He wasn't patched. No idea why. But has glasses. He's 5.5 now and they are beginning to think about operating. It's basically just been 6 monthly check ups but nothing else involved so far

Do you feel your son had an eye that looked like that? She's still sleeping, can you believe it!! Her brothers are being really quiet for once this morning so she's sleeping still!!

OP posts:
ArtyChoc · 03/09/2022 08:15

One of mine had diverging pupils. Referred to ophthalmology at 12 months, he had regular eye tests at the hospital until he was 6 when he was discharged. His muscles got stronger and now he’s older I don’t think it’s even noticeable. Im assuming that learning to read has strengthened them?

Basilthymerosemary · 03/09/2022 08:19

My little girl had this...
I think it's normal for babies and they outgrow it as their muscles/tendons grow stronger...but I'm not a doctor.

If you're worried- ask a GP to refer you. I eventually did when she was 2 and they said it was all normal. But all was normal at preschool check up in the end.

Hope this reassures you. X

Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:23

SockQueen · 02/09/2022 21:46

I noticed this in my DS1 when he was a similar age, but for him it wasn't always the same eye. Took him to the GP about 6 months and they referred us to eye clinic. Initially they said it was probably a pseudosquint (where it just looks like one because of the wide bridge of his nose) but as it persisted they did more tests and he got bifocal glasses when he was about 3.5. He's now almost 6 and will probably always need glasses but he is absolutely brilliant with them and his squint is barely noticeable when wearing them.

There are lots of different causes for squints, which can need different treatments (e.g. patching wouldn't work for DS as both eyes work pretty well on their own, just not together!) Or no treatment at all, sometimes! But getting her reviewed is certainly a sensible plan.

Really helpful information again

I can't get over the support and help on here

Mumsnet can be incredible x

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:24

Carrie76 · 02/09/2022 21:36

My ds’s eye was turned in like your gorgeous girls. I noticed it when he was very small I think about 5 weeks (we’re in Ireland) I rang the maternity hospital and they told me to bring him in. They put the fear of god in me by saying he might have had a stroke. We were sent for a scan and then referred to the optical dept.

They discussed all sorts such as injecting it with Botox. First off they said they’d put a patch on the other eye and see if that helped. Lo and behold after a few weeks of regular patch wearing his eye was moving. We had regular checks until he was 3 and then he was discharged so basically a lazy eye.

I grew up in Malahide 😳 that sounds bloody scary

I would indeed have the fear of god for that . Every parent lives in fear of these awful awful things that happen to such pure little children

Glad to hear he is ok xx

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:25

@ItsnotaHenryMoore that is precisely why I want to get on it now instead of seeing how it goes myself at home

I'm going to get professional opinions on it asap, hopefully today

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:28

Namechange600 · 02/09/2022 21:29

Yes I can see her left eye is turned in. Babies can grow out of it I understand but would get into the NHS now.
my dd had long sightedness, double vision and esotropia not diagnosed until age 8 which can be a problem as the eyes get more fixed at that age. We had to patch and get varifocals (so expensive)… now she is suddenly getting more short sighted quickly as well… not easy.
good you’ve spotted it so early.
my dd thought it was normal to see double 😢😢 the consultant told us it’s not uncommon to hear that from older children too but harder to fix when older I believe.

So sorry to hear about the cost of her glasses. It's awful when you want the best for your child (obviously) and it's so expensive to provide that. I hope she is more comfortable now.

Not much help for now but when she's older and has a larger head Cubits make amazing glasses and varifocals too, for a really good price I think around £175 for varifocals maybe from last night I was on their website

They have beautiful frames I wear them myself

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:31

TowerRavenSeven · 02/09/2022 21:02

Can you take her to an ophthalmologist? It might be nothing but if it is something you’d want it properly looked after - in the nicest possible way, not just having her look a different way when playing. We didn’t catch my son’s eye turning in until about 5 and he did wear strong glasses to correct it.

She's absolutely going to a specialist I don't care what it costs I'm having it double double checked because the notion of any suffering for her that could be avoided breaks my heart to smithereens. She is my world. All my children are. Her and her eldest brother both had the hardest pregnancy and were both soo soo small and weak and when they were born. They are fighters. She was born at 36 weeks so not particularly early but she was 5lb 4 when born and then 4lb 5 when I took her home from hospital 48 hours later
I did have huge huge amounts of fluid rapidly just before my section though which will have increased her blood volume and weight xx

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:32

PersianStar · 02/09/2022 21:21

She is beautiful!
I thought I was going mad with my DS at about 8 months because I was sure his eye wandered out…. No one else could see it 🤦🏼‍♀️
when he was 12 months, I happened to have a phone call from the HV about my newborn and mentioned it to her. She wrote the referral letter there and then as she thought the waiting list was very long after covid. She wasn’t expecting him to be seen until he was 2 and said if he’s grown out of it by the time the appointment comes through, just cancel it.
anyway he had his appointment at 18 months, he does have intermittent distance exotropia which is basically a lazy eye so we are now waiting for more tests to see a course of action as he’s only 20 months.
The doctor did say that she never usually sees children this young as parents “wait and see” but the earlier it’s caught the better the outcome.
so what I’m saying in all the waffle is go with your gut, she may have grown out of it by the time the appointment comes but at least you’ve started the ball rolling x

Thank you for all of this reassurance that what I am doing is the right thing and not a jumping of the gun or being a hypochondriac

I want the best outcome for her not the easiest one.. if you get me ..

All my love and well done on being so persistent

I can hear her awake now

Going to have a look at her again

My little monkey pie

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:33

ArtyChoc · 03/09/2022 08:15

One of mine had diverging pupils. Referred to ophthalmology at 12 months, he had regular eye tests at the hospital until he was 6 when he was discharged. His muscles got stronger and now he’s older I don’t think it’s even noticeable. Im assuming that learning to read has strengthened them?

Interesting idea yes, I think so as it requires a lot of effort to bring eyes into a page doesn't it

I'm glad he is on the mend

Xx

OP posts:
Original poster
babyeye · 03/09/2022 08:33

@Basilthymerosemary yes totally agree xx

OP posts:
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