For those of you who have followed our little family happenings, you may know that Layla has had a wierd eye thing for most of her life. We went to two specialists in the US and never got it properly diagnosed. After a double whammy of two back-to-back episodes last week(usually lasting 4-5 days each) we went to the small local hospital in hopes of at least getting something to help the pain.
The doctor took 10 mins and said it is VKC or Viral Conjunctivitis. It is essentially an allergy so there is no cure other than dealing with symptoms and the hope that she will outgrow it as she gets closer to puberty. It can be triggerd by an allergen OR any time her immune system is depressed. This would explain why it was SO difficult for us to track a consistent triggering event.
It is nigh on impossible to get Layla to open her eyes during an episode so I had taken photos one morning while Layla was distracted while Tom was reading a book to her. The doctor said these photos were very helpful and certainly confirmed for him that he had diagnosed it correctly.
It is very painful for her and usually keeps her in bed in a dark room for the first 3-4 hours of the day. She perks up by late afternoon but we have one crying and whiney girl on our hands until the whole thing passes. The eyes are painful to open in the morning, feel gritty, have blurred vision and are usually itchy.
Thankfully we are no longer using the steriod drops given to us in the US and it has been confirmed (yet again) that is not a problem that will affect her vision. Long-term use of the steroid drops, however, would. So we have some good medical help for her right here in town and we are so so grateful for some resolution to this pesky and painful issue for her!
2 comments:
I'm glad to hear that you're able to get some answers! Sorry to hear that she's been dealing with this.:(
So glad you have some answers. So, something funny which will completely expose all my horrible American stereotypes and prejudices, but I'm just gonna tell you. I have a new doctor for my wretched tummy. He had all his medical training in the middle east. I was a little nervous going to him at first for a gazillion of the above mentioned issues. Turns out he is so GREAT!! All my other doctors simply addressed symptoms. He actually has taken the time to figure out some triggers, causes, and preventative measures. I'm so happy!! :) Yours truly,
Silly American Woman
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