Since this blog is about lessons I have learned...some things I have to confess I am kind of embarrassed about. But I am hoping by sharing that you won't have to learn the same lessons I did.
My daughter has always slept with her eyes partially open. In addition to that she has also used bi-pap for 13 years.
I didn't think sleeping with your eyes open was a big deal, and for a typically developing person, it probably isn't. For non-medically complex people they still rub their eyes and can tell if their eyes feel really dry they would complain about it. With Ellie, this is not the case. She cannot bring her hands to her face and is non-verbal.
At her most recent eye exam the opthalmologist said that she had permanent scar tissue on her iris (colored part of her eye). She asked if she slept with her eyes open, I said yes. She said the scar tissue was caused by this. She said she should be okay, but if the scar tissue extended into her pupil (black part of eye) she would have vision loss in that area. That's all we need...more vision loss (insert sarcasm)!
The eye Dr. said we needed to get "eye gel for SEVERE dry eyes". The brand pictured above is what we have been using. We just squeeze a little into each eyes before bed. It is available over-the-counter. I believe it was around $10 for a tube?!?!?!
I wish we would have been warned before so we could have avoided eye damage...but that is life with a medically complex child. Consider yourself warned.
Does your child sleep with their eyes open? Do you have any experiences you can share with us? We would love to hear from you!
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