Violet's Journey with Hydrocephalus and Microphthalmia: September 2006

Friday, 15 September 2006

Violet's 1st Painted Scleral Shell On Order

On Tuesday, Violet is finally going to have her first hand painted scleral shell made. No more clear shells! Can't wait to see what a difference it will make, at the moment her microphthalmia eye is blue and normal eye brown. Have to wait about a month from Tuesday before she finally gets to wear it, but will post a photo of her, as soon as we have it.

Botulinum Toxin A: is a treatment using a series of injections of botox, which usually can be effective treating spasticity in children. Botulinum toxins block the release of a chemical messenger that triggers muscle contractions.

Dystonia: Dystonia is a neurological disorder causing involuntary, sustained muscle contractions.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy: is a procedure in which tiny hole/s are made in the wall of the third ventricle, allowing movement of cerebrospinal fluid out of the blocked ventricle.

EUA: Examination Under Anaesthetic (Eye)

Eye Moulding: to take an impression of the eye socket, allowing a comfortable and exact fit for prosthesis.

Geneticist: A scientist who studies genes, the basic units of heredity, and their variations.

Hemiplegia: a condition where the leg and arm on one side of the body being affected with movement issues.

Hydrocephalus: Is when an event has occurred in the brain, which causes the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) to accumulate. The pressure then starts to build up within the skull. When the ventricles swell to a large size, the excess fluid can then cause pressure on the brain cells and cause damage.

Microphthalmia: Means small eye. The eye started to develop during pregnancy, but for some reason stopped. Due to this condition, the eye is underdeveloped.

Neurosurgeon: A doctor who specializes in surgery on the brain, spine, and other parts of the nervous system.

Ocularist: An eye specialist who designs, makes, and fits ocular prosthesis (artificial eyes).

Opthamologist: A doctor who specialises in eyes and vision.

Orthotist: A person skilled in making (orthotics) such as leg braces or splints that help to support limb function

PHPV: (Persistant Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous) which means the first (primary) vitreous that grows in the eye fails to become clear. It grows too much (hyperplastic) and becomes hazy and scarred. Usually it would disappear and become clear but instead it stays (persists). The hazy vitreous blocks light passing to the back of the eye.

Rickham's Reservoir: A small silicone device inserted into the front of head. The reservoir is used to access CSF for diagnostic purposes.

Scleral Shell: A shell that fits over the existing Microphthalic eye. The presence of a shell makes the eye socket grow keeping the face growth symmetrical.

Vascular Malformations: The abnormal formation or development of blood vessels is generally referred to as vascular malformation. Vascular malformations are usually birth defects affecting arteries or veins.

VP Shunt: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt, in which an operation is performed to place a catheter into ventricles of the brain and drain excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the ventricular system into the peritoneal space (abdomen) This catheter is connected to a pressure valve that regulates the amount of fluid drainage.

Violet's Journey with Hydrocephalus and Microphthalmia

Friday, 15 September 2006

Violet's 1st Painted Scleral Shell On Order

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