Concerns about outward facing eye/exotropia in baby

[HopefulMother1]

Hi all out there. Really need some reassurance as going out my mind. My baby was born with an outward facing eye (exotropia). At first I wasn't too worried as I read it can be corrected with treatment if it doesn't resolve itself. However, more reading resulted in me learning that infantile exotropia (as he has had it since birth) is commonly associated with neurological and developmental issues. I am literally besides myself at the thought. Please, please someone out there tell me that your child had the same and was fine in the end. My baby is 3 weeks old, and though his eyes sometimes straighten, most of the time the right eye is outward facing. Please reassure me someone, or tell me your experience.

Your post has been reflecting a bit because in theory I am living what you are fearing in that my child had an eye condition that was noticed as a newborn and has since been diagnosed with a neurological disorder yet I never felt any of the feelings that you are. I guess maybe because the doctors (including the neurologist) seemed pretty sure it wasn’t that but I’ve always just believed in hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Health anxiety is extremely real and I’m not discrediting it but it is a bit hard to read someone finding such difficulty in the hand my son was dealt when it might not be their reality in anyway. It’s a hard one. You sound like an incredible mother who loves and advocates for her children but the what ifs are stealing this postpartum experience from you and it might be worth confiding in someone about that

Apologies @Meand2Ls if I sound a little OTT and perhaps even ignorant. That's just it really: I fear the unknown, an unknown much worse than anything you've described in the deepest, darkest depths of my imagination. God knows I am not strong enough for such an avenue as what I have playing in my head. Ive dealt with quite a lot in my life - health wise and otherwise - and just feel not strong enough to cope with anything in my kids. Please do not misunderstand my anxiety, and forgive any offense. There is a bigger picture at play.

Apologies @Meand2Ls if I sound a little OTT and perhaps even ignorant. That's just it really: I fear the unknown, an unknown much worse than anything you've described in the deepest, darkest depths of my imagination. God knows I am not strong enough for such an avenue as what I have playing in my head. Ive dealt with quite a lot in my life - health wise and otherwise - and just feel not strong enough to cope with anything in my kids. Please do not misunderstand my anxiety, and forgive any offense. There is a bigger picture at play.

If I be honest @Meand2Ls your experience is way more favourable compared to what I have in my head. To give some idea of where I am at, I had a ridiculous number of UTIs during my pregnancy (missed for the most part), and was always worried about the impact of the inflammation, especially as studies show that raised cytokines in the body over a prolonged period can cause fetal brain damage. The Google rabbit hole I have gone down has me fearing the absolute worst. I am waiting for my HV to visit to relay these concerns and see what her thoughts are.

Hello all. I'm trying to establish whether the silent reflux my baby has (and possible oral dysfunction) has any connection to the eye issue. Did any of you experience silent reflux too? I haven't slept in forever as a result.

nope no reflux here

Thank you for replying on this @Meand2Ls

You need to stop googling things then. It’s part of the rumination cycle and doesn’t help. Listen to the doctors and try and refrain from imagining shadows that aren’t there.

I agree with you. Sound advice amd I've also been telling myself the same. Thank you