lazy eye operation

emamum · 13-11-2007, 21:34

has anyone here (or their children) had the an operation to correct a lazy eye (squint)? my son has been offered it and i am not sure whether to go for it as i have been told it is puely cosmetic and i am against cosmetic surgery for children... but if he doesnt have it soon it will be too late he is 6 now and they advise that they have it before they start school but its only just been offered. We have tried the patch and eye excercises but it is getting worse and is on both eyes.. he already wears glasses and will still need to either way... any one any input/advice? thanx

cashman · 13-11-2007, 21:38

do you mean lazy eye emamum23? if so i would think its worth having it, reason being kids can really take the mick at school.

emamum · 13-11-2007, 21:42

but that would mean having it for cosmetic reasons and i dont think someone so young should have that, there are always risks in surgery..

BERNADETTE · 13-11-2007, 21:44

I think you should let him have it done , as you say it is getting worse. I don't think it should be classed as cosmetic surgery either, to me it is surgery that is needed.

junetta · 13-11-2007, 21:48

I had the operation at Blackburn Infirmary when I was eight years old. I'd also had the plaster on the specs routine and had to make two rabbits into one whilst staring into a machine. Even though I feel mine 'wander' when I'm tired, I'm so glad that my parents elected for treatment.

I remember the teasing at school and also all the photos of me with one eye stuck in the corner.

It didn't happen to my children but I would have jumped at the chance of an operation for them if it had.

cashman · 13-11-2007, 21:53

agree with bernie its necessary not cosmetic, also june has confirmed the point about being teased at school, think very carefully school can be hard enough without extra pressure.

Jae Swift · 13-11-2007, 22:01

My cousin had lazy eye, doesnt take long at all and now he's fine.

junetta · 13-11-2007, 22:03

One chap once said to me 'Are you looking at me or him behind me?'. That has stayed with me for all those years.

Sorry to go on but I'm sure your son's confidence will grow when he can look folk in the eye without being concerned about what his are doing.

Lilly · 13-11-2007, 22:06

I would get it done if it was one of my children, emamum23.

WillowTheWhisp · 13-11-2007, 22:07

I would recommend that you let him have the surgery. It may seem trivial and unnecessary to you but if other kids make his life a misery at school because of it that will affect his school work and everything. Kids can be bad enough to others just for wearing glasses.

katex · 13-11-2007, 22:10

Gotta' ask the question of yourself : Will he thank you later for having it put right, or berate you for not allowing it ?

If it were my son, would not hesitate and go ahead.. what a difference it will make to him. Cosmetic !!! Rubbish, this is all about self-esteem,not being an odd one out and confidence for the rest of his life.

West Ender · 13-11-2007, 22:12

Yes do go ahead with it. He won't thank you for not doing it if you leave it and he grows up with a squint. I don't think it's a cosmetic operation, as such, it's necessary for his self-confidence and may improve his sight too.

WillowTheWhisp · 13-11-2007, 22:19

A member of my family didn't have the op as a child and couldn't wait to have it as an adult even though it wasn't as easy to do by then. He'd had a miserable childhood and not just cosmetic but he'd also had headaches and been unable to concentrate for long to read or write. He was also the butt of jokes and teasing by other kids at school. I cannot understand why his parents put him through that when it could so easily have been avoided and he could have had a happier childhood.

katex · 13-11-2007, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

I cannot understand why his parents put him through that when it could so easily have been avoided and he could have had a happier childhood.

Exactly Willow, don't even understand why Emamum is throwing out this question to debate

Bonnyboy · 13-11-2007, 22:28

Book the child in ema. My daughter had this as a child, luckily patches and eye exercises sorted it out. Had that not worked and the alternative was an operation, I would not have hesitated.