hydrogel surgery?

[Ben'sMom]

Hello,
I am a new member with a 20 month old boy named Ben. . . He has anopthalmia in his left eye, and several other birth defects, which have led to him having a trach and a g-tube. THANKFULLY, his right eye seems to be normal.

We take Ben to see a great occularist, and he wears a conformer all the time, but I am wondering if we don't need to pursue some further options. His left eye socket is much smaller than the right, and the eyelid opening is also much smaller. The whole left side of his face is affected by it, of course.

I have heard about a treatment where something like a balloon is surgically implanted in the socket and is injected with something to increase its size. The occularist and ophalmic plastic surgeon we saw once both said that while the idea sounds good, it usually is very difficult to carry out, and they don't recommend it. BUT, I just want some more information on it, and to see if anyone has any GOOD experiences with it. I don't even know what to call it! Is is hydrogel surgery? I read this term in a post on this site. . .

And a plastic surgeon who did a jaw distraction on Ben this last year offered to do some surgery on the socket, but I'm not sure that's the best option either.

If anyone has any experience with more aggressive treatments than just using conformers, please respond. Thank you in advance!
Tracey S., mom to Ben

[Jodi]

Tracey
You can find information on hydrogel expanders on their website. www.iopinc.com Go to the patient information link and then osmed.
Jodi, ican President

[Ben'sMom]

Thank you Jodi.
I read their info and will contact them for specialist names.

And if anyone else has any personal experience with these, I'd still really appreciate hearing about it. Thanks!

Tracey

[angel_eyes]

Hi Tracey, My son Jordan, who is 8 years old and has bilateral anopthalmia has the hydrogel implants. We feel that the hydrogel has been very beneficial and wished that the procedure would have been available to us when he was younger. Like you, we started out with conformers, but after some time, we just weren't impressed with where it was going. It was a big step, but with the help of a great surgeon in Indianapolis we decided to try orbital implants. They really provided the "fullness" we were looking for. As he grew and needed larger implants, Dr. Nunery wanted to try the hydrogel implants. It seemed to be a gentler way to get the volume we wanted. You see, the implants are small when they are placed, then slowly increase in size over a few days. There isn't so much pressure placed on the socket all at once and I felt it was easier on Jordan. He has had his in for a couple of years now and haven't had any trouble with them. We just had them checked this week and everything looks great. I'd be glad to answer and questions that I can. I'll check back here or you can leave me a private message.

Jody Hawkins

[Jodi]

Hi Tracey
Just wondering if you were able to find an oculoplastic surgeon to discuss hydrogels for Ben?
Hope all is going well.
Jodi, ican President and Wyatt's mom-sox2 anophthlmia syndrome