Prayer request: My child suddenly lost sight in one eye, may lose the other

11/17/01 | SarahW

[SarahW]

My husband (Patrickhenryinva) and I ask for you to pray for our dear child. He's 13.

He might have an unusually-presenting glaucoma. The alternatives are even worse. If it's LHNO, he could lose the other eye in similar fasion before Christmas. He might also have a brain tumor.

Glaucoma is suspected because His intraocular pressure is elevated, and he has optic nerve "cupping" that is typical of glaucoma.

He has completely lost the central visual field in his left eye, though the peripheral vision is completely intact. Usually, glaucoma knocks out the peripheral vision and spares the central vision. Visual losses from glaucoma usually creep up on a person. His happened virtually overnight.

He came to me Thurday afternoon, inquiring about what the cloud that had descended over his left eye, obscuring his vision, might be.

Friday morning at the opthamologists, I realized he could see nothing. Refraction didn't help at all.

(TWo months previously he had a mostly perfect routine exam. His pressures had actually been borderline high but there was nothing else "wrong". Drops are not usually started with pressures like he had then, and I wasn't referred to an opthamologist, or given special advice.)

If it's LHON, which doesn't usually get higher pressures, but can have cupping and sudden onset and central field defects and pop up in kids his age, then if his case is typical he will lose his other eye in time for the new year, perhaps christmas.

The prospect of this is utterly terrifying and devastating. Some kids/adults only have the one eye affected, though. Sometimes their vision even comes back, sometimes completely!!!

He's going to see a glaucoma specialist thursday, with an MRI for the first part of next week to rule out tumors that can mimic glaucoma.

Prayer is so needed for my child. Please pray for him. There is hope. I'm praying alone right now.

[MasonGal]

Let's keep this prayer request bumped.

[dandelion]

You are not alone. We are ALL here with you, praying for you, holding you and your little family in our prayers. God has provided you this blessing; why would He not give yet more?

Father, I lift up my sister Sarah. Fill her heart with strength, that she may in turn lift up her Andy. You are holding us all in Your hands, Father - heal Andy, Father, Please. In Jesus name...

[volchef]

I can't even imagine how I would cope if it were one of my children. The only thing I can tell you is that life does go on. It may sound cheesy, but God does not close one door without opening another. My college roommate did everything else we did in college. She was actually an awesome skateboarder and had a very normal college social life including boyfriends, kegs, and all nighters for exams. The only thing we considered different about her was that we always helped her to cross the busier streets. While I know that Heather would have liked to have had her eyesight she was such a strong person and I couldn't have any more respect for anyone than I had for her. I pray that it turns out better for your son, but if it doesn't go as we plan know that God has a plan that sometimes we just can't figure out on our own.

[Skooz]

prayers sent.

God bless you and your family.

[Liberty Valance]

Prayers being sent for your son. God bless you.

[cmsgop]

Thanks Sweetie, More Prayers for Andy on the way.....

[avg_freeper]

You have my prayers for you and your child. I pray for strength and recovery. God bless you.

[kenth]

Praying for him and your family.

[aruanan]

I'm praying with you.

[Iowa Granny]

You are not praying alone. The Free Republic Prayer Warriors are on their knees with you.

Try to remain calm and do not let your child know of your fears.

[MasonGal]

Keeping this bumped

[Badray]

Prayers for Andy.

What were his pressures? Except that you said that they are high, nothing else sounds like glaucoma from anything that I have experienced or read. I have had glaucoma for about ten years and eyedrops have brought the pressure from 27 to 18 and I haven't had much more than some minor peripheral loss in all that time.

Trust God to bring you and Andy thru this.

[k omalley]

Lord Jesus, please restore the eyesight of the little son of SarahW and PatrickhenryinVa.

[PoisedWoman]

May God bless Andrew and his special parents who love him so dearly. I pray that Andy's sight is saved, that his vision returns, and that no complications arise.

SarahW, I had two surgeries this year on the same eye and am back to 20/25. Ophthalmology is quite sophisticated, the doctors can perform near-miracles.

Please don't despair. Andy's youth is on his side, so is medical science, and Freeper prayers are powerful. Above all, God is good.

[Ol' Sox]

My family will be praying for your family. God bless you all and may our good Lord restore your son's sight.

[JustPiper]

I pray that God heals your son and makes this the least worse scenario. It is tough enough being a young teen, so I ask the Angels to give him the guidance he needs to cope and will keep you in my thoughts. Hang in there Sarah and Patrick!

[xp38]

A prayer for Andy and for his loved ones in this time of crisis. May God Be with you in the name of Jesus Amen.

[June Cleaver]

Add my prayers as well . . . you're not praying alone!!

[Snowy]

Prayer bump!

[TexasCowboy]

Thanks for the ping, Texas Girl.

Sarah, I'm very sorry.

My prayers are with your son and with you in this terrifying time.
May the Lord restore his vision completely and comfort you and him.