Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Help - one-year-old-cross-eyed after anaesthetic

16 replies

Bambinocino · 27/10/2011 19:16

DS (1) had day surgery last Friday for an endoscopy. He had gas to put him to sleep for the procedure. He seemed fine afterwards apart from vomiting a few hours after he woke up. But from about Monday/Tuesday I've noticed that he's quite markedly cross-eyed when trying to focus on something about one metre away. It's not the same eye that's not straight each time iyswim. I could be being irrational but it seems like a big coincidence that he's suddenly developed an eye problem a few days after an anaesthetic, and I'm really worried that the anaesthetic has affected his brain in some way.

Wonder if anyone could give any advice/reassurance?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

jenniec79 · 27/10/2011 19:37

Don't panic (I know, easier said than done)
Are you sure it's new? (My DM didn't notice my alternating squint till I was 12 - they hide - despite me noticing it myself at about 5-6, so I always ask)
Is he otherwise fine now? (If so, reassuring+++)
On his discharge paperwork there'll be a phone number to get in touch either with the team or the ward. Call them and tell them what you've seen. Unlikely related to the anaesthetic, but I'm sure they'd want to know.
Opticians might be another option, but at 1 it's a difficult specialist exam, not a regular "specsavers" type job, so again, go through the hospital.
It'll almost certainly settle, and if it doesn't, an alternating squint can be minimised with patching, exercises etc and doesn't stop you doing much (I didn't start exercises till I was nearly 13 and have only just gone to glasses)

DOI: surgeon with a squint.

coreandpeace · 27/10/2011 19:43

If you're interested in homeopathy, you could try asking a homeopath to help treat getting rid of the anaethesthic.

jenniec79 · 27/10/2011 19:54

hester · 27/10/2011 19:56

I'd be talking to a doctor. A proper one, I mean.

Original poster

Bambinocino · 27/10/2011 20:10

Thanks so much for the replies. He's otherwise fine, has been going about his business, chatting away etc. I'm sure the cross-eyedness is new, there's never been any hint of it before and it's really noticeable now.

I called the doctor's secretary this morning and she said she'd pass it on to him, but I haven't heard back. I also called the ward, and they said I should take him to A and E if I was worried. Then I called the after-hours doctor who said I should take him to the hospital's drop-in clinic tonight. I'm panicking a bit now to be honest, not least because the nurse on the ward asked if he'd had "any other brain injuries" lately - not sure whether to go to the dr tonight, with all the hassle that involves - but of course if he needs to be seen urgently I'll take him - or take him to GP tomorrow - will involve a day off work, I've only been back from maternity leave 2 days. Aaaaargh.

Is this the sort of thing that should be seen urgently? Not sure if the after-hours doctor, even if a paediatrician, might just say I need a referral to an eye specialist anyway.

OP posts:

hester · 27/10/2011 20:34

I really don't know, I'm afraid. Though I think I'd rather take him to a hospital doctor than a GP.

hester · 27/10/2011 20:36

It may not be an eye specialist thing, though. If it is connected to the anaesthesia, I mean.

Sorry, I'm not helping, am I? I think I would be anxious enough to get to a doctor early. But I don't know if that's the best course of action or not.

Original poster

Bambinocino · 27/10/2011 21:17

You're right Hester, don't know why I was dithering, my DH has taken him to walk-in clinic while I stay here with the 3 yo. Will update!

OP posts:

hester · 27/10/2011 22:10

Please do and good luck x

nightcat · 28/10/2011 19:15

anaesthetic does affect the neurons firing temporarily (my ds had some symptoms after his) so I think it's possible that he will recover eventually, I would prob try to give him extra rest to minimise eye stimulation

cheekyginger · 30/10/2011 22:43

Hi Bambinocino,

What age is your DS? Does he have any double vision?

All your muscles are completely relaxed when under a GA and this may have caused a controlled squint to decompensate so that it's not controlled anymore. This type of squint is known as a "latent squint", and this can break down to become a visible squint/cross eyes

Hope that makes some sense!!

I work in an eye clinic and think you should get him seem by an Ophthalmologist (Eye Dr). He may manage to gain control of it again gradually but the Ophthalmologist or Orthoptist (which is what i am) will be able to give you the best advice. You do not need to rest his eyes to minimise stimulation.....you need to speak to a professional.

Good luck

hester · 31/10/2011 07:46

Any update, Bambinocino?

lisad123 · 31/10/2011 10:34

hoping no news is good news here and your all just resting

Original poster

Bambinocino · 29/11/2011 13:15

Hi everyone, sorry for the long delay in updating. We took DS to the emergency eye clinic in the end the next day, after DH found a massive queue at A&E. They checked him over and said there was nothing sinister in his eye - I had started worrying about a retinoblastoma. The eye clinic gave us a follow up appointment for Feb for further investigation to see what kind of squint it is and how to treat it. We've ended up going private though to have him seen sooner so we're off to see the opthamologist today.

Meanwhile we've been back to see the Dr who did the biopsy a couple of days before the squint appeared, and I asked him if there's any way the appearance of the squint could be connected with the anaesthetic. He said it was a very light anaesthetic, not much stronger than a natural sleep, and it was highly unlikely there was any connection. But i'll ask the opthamologist today as well.

Thanks again for all the support on that night, it was a life saver

OP posts:

Original poster

Bambinocino · 01/12/2011 13:14

Just to finish this story in case anyone's ever looking back over it with a similar situation - we went to the opthamologist and it turns out DS is long sighted, more in one eye than the other, and will need glasses and a patch to correct the squint and help him see properly. The dr said an anaesthetic can sometimes make a squint come out that was there anyway. Cheeky I think that's what you were suggesting. Next challenge is to get DS to wear the paraphernalia - but that's another thread....

OP posts:

cheekyginger · 03/12/2011 17:21

Hi babinochino, thats what i was getting at. Quite tricky to explain!!!

I've started a thread called lazy eyes, glasses and squints. Dont know how to do a link. Should be on the first page of the child health section, and there is lots of advice and support on there from mums in your situation.

Flip