Knowledge of ocular science has never been one of my areas of interest, but due to bad luck in the the eye department our kiddos have thrust us into the realm of eyeball health.
Case in point- #5.
Last summer we noticed that her right eye was determined to do it's own thing, especially if she was tired. It just scooted on in...not a talent we were too thrilled about. Two of our older children have amblyopia (lazy eye), but their eyes don't move....unless they want them to. So, we schlepped #5 to the doctor-an adventure in its self.
We thought some therapy would clear it right up, but nope. When we dilated her good eye, so her weaker eye had an opportunity to get its act together, the left eye turned in. -Not the result we were hoping for. The only thing that corrects such issues is surgery on the eye muscles.
So, we headed for the Big City.
On day one we had a pre-op appointment. We had met the surgeon a couple of weeks before. He was fantastic. They checked angle measurements and gave us the plan for the next day. Due to nerves and a very wiggly two year old we hit Ikea and the mall instead of lounging in the hotel.
(Not a good plan for people without a stroller.) 
(Notice the concentration)
After seeing this picture the rest of the men in our family NEED to go to the Lego Store...even if it takes a three hour drive.
Even without a stroller we had a pleasant outing and returned to the hotel to fall into bed. We needed to make it to the surgical center in a timely manner....6:30a.m. gulp....I had alarm clock anxiety dreams all night.
We made it on time and # 5 scored a lovely new gown with matching jewlry- embellished with her name.
All went really well until the nurse tried to wheel the wagon down the hall away from us. The sight of us getting farther away as she was pulled into the unknown was a little more than #5 could handle, and my name rang out bouncing down the corridor. "M-O-o-O-o-M!"
So, I dressed in medical garb and accompanied my daughter into the surgery. Holding my baby and reassuring her so she wouldn't be scared as they put her to sleep was one of those difficult mommy moments. Then, I hurried back out to the waiting room to join "Big J".... and wait.
Everything went really well.
After about an hour we were able to hold #5 in recovery. Her eyes were puffy and her tears were blood tinged. We just held her until she woke up and managed to keep some applejuice down. Eventually, we were allowed to take her "home". They don't patch eyes after these types of procedures anymore and we received some strange/horrified looks as we carried #5 through the hotel. Apparently, they don't get a lot of puffy, gooey, somewhat bloody toddlers there. I was sure we were going to get a call from some child agency.
After a post-op appointment the next day we headed home. One perk to eye surgery is that to relax the eye and make the muscles work together the patient should watch lots of movies. No problem...It was a quiet ride home. We had a homecoming party awaiting us- balloon and all.
I didn't take any pictures of her eyes at their worst. They were pretty painful to look at. The whites of her eyes were bloody looking with slight bruises around the edges. # 3 pointed out some people might think she had become a vampire.
(No, he has not read any vampire books.) My 6 year old nephew had to cover his eyes every time he encountered #5 around the house. She thought she was all powerful and wanted to chase the boys. #5 didn't realize she really was scary looking.....and that she wasn't suppose to be running. Have you ever tried to get a two-year-old to lay low?
I took this picture today, almost a week out. Things has vastly improved. Even with slightly red eyes #5 is a lot cuter than this. Definitely not a photo contest winner, but it gives you the idea. Now, if we can get through the post-trauma princess-phase...yippee!
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