11.24.2010

Micah's Eye

A pterygium is a fleshy growth that invades the cornea (the clear front window of the eye). It is an abnormal process in which the conjunctiva (a membrane that covers the white of the eye) grows into the cornea.

A pinguecula is a yellowish patch or bump on the white of the eye, most often on the side closest to the nose. It is not a tumor but an alteration of normal tissue resulting in a deposit of protein and fat. Unlike a pterygium, a pinguecula does not actually grow onto the cornea. A pinguecula may also be a response to chronic eye irritation or sunlight.


Yesterday Micah had eye surgery. Everything went well and it was very successful! They had to scrape off the white/yellow growth and graphed some new eye tissue from the back of the eye.


This had been bothering him for a couple of months, and it was growing a lot. So when he went in to the opthamologist, who was so "impressed" at this growth that he took some pictures so he could put it in his book.



to the right of the eye you can see some white tissue

He had to have some eye dilating drops and just to make sure they got the right eye, they marked "Yes".

After surgery he had an eye patch that had some metal on it. looks like he's a robot!

So how does this happen? Well when Micah was a youngster he played a lot outside, and loved swimming. Well he had sunburned his eyes so much that years later this popped up. So Micah is a true advocate of sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen for our littleone now. So remember to duct tape those sunglasses and hats to your kiddos heads!!

2 comments:

Rebecca said...

I didn't know eyes could get sunburned. That's crazy. Glad everything went well! I went with my sister when she got foot surgery and they had her write "yes" on the foot that was being operated on as well. Anything to prevent a mistake, I guess!

Hope you and miss Isla are doing well!

Megan said...

Oh my goodness! I have never heard of that happening. :( Glad surgery went well ... hope you guys are all doing well!