Eye Problems in Preemies

Hi,

My b/g twins were born at 34 weeks and both are having eye problems. . .My little girl, Kenna, has a droopy eye lid. It looks as if one eye is always open more than the other. And my son, Kaden, has problems with his eyes "bulging" sometimes. . . Are these common problems with preemies? And if so, is there something I should be doing? Like making an appt with an eye doctor. . . or will the problems resolve on there own?

Background: Both babies were in the NICU for 2 weeks with breathing problems. Kenna was on oxygen for about 10 days, and Kaden was on CPAP for 5 days. I am grateful to say they are healthy otherwise.

We don't see the pedi until their 2 month appt on the 15th and I was just wondering. . .I feel as if I worry about everything with them. . .

 

mine were 30 weekers and we had to see the eye dr every 2 weeks until they were past their due day. did they have any eye exams at the hospital? be warned, eye exams are scary looking for mom! at least for me! if you can get someone to go in with you and you stay in the waiting room with one baby while they take the other for the exam its not as bad.

 

I would make an appointment with a pediatric opthamologist. Your medical insurance should cover it, minus any co-pays. It might be nothing but if it's something that needs treatment, you don't want to let it go any longer than needed. My twins were in the NICU much longer than yours and they had 3 eye exams while there and we've probably been back 10-15 times total since they were discharged and will continue to go monthly to monitor their eyes until the blood vessels are properly developed.
When it comes to something like vision, I don't like to wait. The eye exams are pretty simple. Drops in the eyes, wait 15 minutes for them to work, hold baby in lap, doctor looks at them with a light and lens, done.

 

As Lindsey said, our girls had eye exams in the NICU and we had to go back every 2/3 weeks for awhile until things started to clear up (blood vessels not developed properly, it's called ROP) Our last visit the ROP appears to have resolved but we still have to go every few months. Hope everything turns out ok!

 

I would call your pedi and tell the nurse your concerns and they might suggest you coming in before they are 2 months old or suggest seeing an opthamologist.

 

I second calling their pedi and going from there. Pleae let us know how it goes :hug:.

 

Thanks! That's interesting about the eye exams. . I know the babies had their vision screening in the NICU but nothing since that I am aware of. . . I will call the pedi tomorrow and see what they say. I would love to get them into the eye doctor before the end of the year. . . When I bring up concerns about the twins to my family, they make me feel like I am too worried about them. . . .Thanks for the support! I will let you know what happens. . .

Laura