My 6 year old is having an eye operation - Advice!

[BattingLashes]

Hi, really hope I've put this in the right place. I've never been here before, but have heard great things and hoped you lovely people could give me some advice!

My daughter has always had issues with her eyes, and to cut a long story short, she has to have an op on both eyes to tighten the muscles behind the eyes. The consultant (who was lovely) has said this is a simple procedure and we'll be in and out in a day. She will be put to sleep for the op of course.

My daughter is only 6, and struggles with anxiety. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend and help groups that specialise in helping kids going through this? Or if anyone has any advice, it will be much appreciated!

TIA!

No advice as such but my little boy had an eye op to remove a cyst age old 3. There was a play therapist on the ward who before the op came to play with him and had toys with all the things they would use later (BP cuff, oxygen mask etc). They were lovely and really calmed him down.

There's also some episodes of tv shows which feature hospitals and doctors which I know some people find useful for context for their little one. Good luck. It was far more traumatic for me than my son!

I had an operation when I was four and what helped me most was taking my teddy into the operating theatre with me. Obviously it was taken off me when I was unconscious but it made me feel happy

the hospital will have play therapists who can help. Having something to distract (cartoons/music on a phone/tablet) +/- sedative pre-med. Most important thing in helping kids coming to theatre though is a sensible parent who's not overtly anxious themselves.

Hi OP,

My daughter has had a few operations as she was born with a cleft lip and palate. There is a really lovely charity called the Pyjama Fairies who make very sweet surgical gowns and hospital pyjamas for children. You can stipulate the age and whether you'd like a girly/boysy print and they'll deliver it to your home address. Your daughter might feel a bit more in control and perhaps a little less anxious if she has something she's excited to wear - and the lovely fuss everyone on the ward will make will lift her spirits too on the day.

If your daughter has a favourite cuddly toy, or anything really, that is familiar to her that she can wake up with in recovery then that'd be nice for her. If it is a gas anaesthetic that she is given, I know that it doesn't smell particularly nice so our anaesthetist has, in the past, put scented lip balm on the oxygen mask to make it smell a little nicer. Could be worth asking your anaesthetist if this is something they could do?

Take some yummy snacks, things that are easy on the tummy like pots of jelly, fromage frais or similar. Snack rules and quantities went out of the window when we were on the wards, it was more important to bring our little one a bit of happiness!

As a previous poster said, it'll almost certainly be worse for you as a parent. Do try to stay occupied until you're called to say your daughter is in recovery. Head for a short walk outside or get something to eat. I promise it will pass the time quicker.

Hope it all goes well, sending love.

In terms of eye operations (I have had one) - it's probably worth asking beforehand what the recovery will be like in the days afterwards. I was young when I had mine, and what I remember from it is that it took a few days for the swelling to ease and for me to be able to see properly afterwards and that was the bit I wasn't prepared for and I found most difficult as it was just unexpected.

I had two of these ops, albeit a long time ago, one at 5 in the 80s and the other at 15 in the 90s. One on each eye. They were fine. General anaesthesia as you say. The only issue was 15 year old me wasn't as good at having the eye drops put in by my mum post op as 5 year old me. But it's a safe op and no doubt more advanced now, try not to worry.

My dd has had 2 surgeries. The hospital we were at for both was excellent. Everything was so child focused. We were lucky to have a children’s hospital, but even just a children’s ward will have staff who are ready to be gentle..

the only thing we weren’t prepared for is having a toddler who was drunk on anesthesia and wanted to get up and run around. We were exhausted and wanted a nap. She was full of energy and feeling no pain, but was not supposed to be running and could not walk straight, let alone run, because she was 2 and totally full of drugs. We still laugh about it today.

The Royal College of Anaesthetists has some resources for parents and children of different ages which you might find helpful.
https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources/information-children-parents-carers

Thank you so much to everyone that commented on my post 💜
You all posted great suggestions and ideas and I am so so thankful!

I'm quite an anxious person myself, so will have to keep that in check nearer the time. Really appreciate everything you all said. Thank you so so much xxxxx

@BattingLashes is it an operation for nystagmus?

She has ocular albinism with astigmatism in both eyes. Both eyes wander slightly when tired. The consultant said the op would prevent her from developing a squint.