Sharp-eyed dad saves Lauren from losing sight

Published on Friday 17 October 2008 10:33

WHEN two-year-old Lauren Duncan looks into her father's eyes in the future, she will know she has her dad to thank for saving her vision.

For had it not been for his occupation, the toddler could be facing a lifetime of being blind in one eye.

The Broxburn youngster has accommodative esotropia, a condition that, if left untreated, can lead to the victim losing use of one eye.

Fortunately, Lauren's father is an optometrist – he checks and tests people's eyes for a living.

He spotted the signs straight away and took her to get the necessary treatment, meaning by simply wearing spectacles in her infancy she should be clear of the problem.

Barry Duncan, 33, who works for a Dunblane-based optician, said: "It was about five weeks ago and we were playing in the house when I noticed one of her eyes was turning slightly inwards.

"We got her in very quickly and tested her for just the right pair of glasses which should bring the eye back again.

"It was very lucky because I know what to look for and what to do, but I think for others if it wasn't their profession they wouldn't notice, and if they did, would maybe just leave it, but in fact it can be serious."

If esotropia is discovered early on, it can be corrected with glasses and possibly by wearing a patch for a short time.

But if left untreated, difficulties can mount up with the affected eye becoming worse before eventually being rendered completely redundant.

Lauren's diagnosis comes just as Optometry Scotland launches a campaign to get parents to check their children's eyes. They are urging mums and dads to look out for any obvious deficiencies and not to hesitate taking their child to the doctor if they even mildly suspect something is amiss.

Mr Duncan is firmly behind the campaign. "I was quite calm about it all because I knew what it was and that we'd caught it early, but my wife Lisa was really worried something was wrong with her baby," he added. "I would urge every parent to make sure their children's eyes are healthy. My daughter will be getting checked every three months."

The organisation's chairwoman Gill Syme added that eye problems can run in the family.

"Barry Duncan's story highlights the real importance of regular eye examinations for children," she said. "In particular if parents themselves wear glasses or have a lazy eye, they should have their children's eyes examined by their local optometrist by the age of four or five years old.

"Generally children should be screened at age four before they start school, this would normally be done at nursery and parents must check this has been done."

RECOGNISING THE SYMPTOMS

ESOTROPIA is a form of squint in which one or both eyes turns inward.

The condition can be constantly present, or occur intermittently, and can lead to a cross-eyed appearance.

If the condition is discovered early on, it can be corrected with glasses and possibly by wearing a patch for a short time.

But if left untreated, difficulties can mount up with the affected eye becoming worse before eventually being rendered completely redundant.