Update on Conley's Eye Treatment

We saw Dr. Hunt at Cook's in Hurst. We were very happy with him. The three options that Dr. Hunt discussed with us were 1) steroid injections 2) oral steroids or 3) Propranolol. He said the steroid injections can possibly cause skin discolorations. Also, the injections would only be to treat the hemangioma on her eye, whereas the oral treatments would also reduce the hemangioma on her head. The oral steroids of course have some side effects that would have to be monitored. The third option was the one that he felt best about. They have only actually used it in a handful of patients at this point to treat hemangiomas, but they have had impressive results with all of them. They have found that Propranolol, which I believe is typically prescribed for blood pressure, reduces the appearance of hemangiomas. He said even in the first couple weeks we will see a big difference in the color and intensity even. She would be on the medicine until at least 6 months, and possibly up to 12 months since hemangiomas typically can continue growth up to 12 months. We will see a cardiologist next Wed morning to determine if she is a good candidate for the medication...make sure she has no heart problems that would prevent her from being a good candidate. If she checks out fine, we will begin her on the medication very soon. She is opening that eye less and less now, so I'm very anxious to start the treatment in hopes that it will reduce the size quickly. She also has an MRI scheduled for next Friday to determine if the hemangioma on her head goes deep enough to be threatening to her brain. Of course, we are VERY hopeful that it will determine that there is NO threat there! Big prayers for those results!! Thankfully, we will find out that same day what the MRI says. Our pediatrician's office will call us that afternoon with the results. The treatment for the eye will also reduce the one on her head since it is an oral treatment rather than a local injection, so that is a benefit to the third option as well. It sounds like something that they have only recently used in the last couple years. The opthamologist has worked very closely with a pediatric dermatologist as well as the cardiologist on this treatment in past patients.

We felt good about all the information that he shared with us. I was so glad that he wasn't recommending surgery or laser removal. We are also going to start having chiropractic care for our entire family, and our chiropractor is very hesitant for Conley to be on any medication. It is so important for us to treat this soon so that her eyesight is not affected, since her eyes are being trained so much in these first few months. I'm not sure that the chiropractor is going to have a better alternative option for us, so I think we feel good about moving forward with this medication as treatment.

I'm so thankful that we are making progress with the doctors so quickly on her treatment. We are so anxious for her to be able to open that eye completely as soon as possible. Thank you all for your continued prayers for our precious Conley. We are so so so blessed with our girls!!