![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Buddha's cherry eye
Sep. 23rd, 2008 07:58 pmWe took Buddha to the ophthalmologist at The Hope Center today. Here was the diagnosis:
The doctor (Brady Beale) reinserted the tear gland back inside the eye socket, but there's only a 5% chance that this will permanently fix the problem. It's likely to pop back out because there's cartilage in the space where it used to be that gets folded up permanently. But for now, at least, Buddha's cherry is not there. You can still see the third eyelid, but he can comfortably close both eyes. If the cherry does pop back out, we'll address the next step. In the meantime, we have some eyedrops that are antibiotic/anti-inflammatory to put into his eyes twice a day to see if that will help get the swelling under control. She also took a tissue sample to send out for biopsy that we'll hear about in the next couple of days. It may turn out that he has a virus that requires more aggressive treatment.
She also may recommend that we consult with a dermatologist about the skin problems he's got on his face. Overall, I was confident that she knew what she was talking about.
Anyway, for comparison:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lythandra/BuddhaTheCatYearTwo#5181857865817594946 (with cherry)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lythandra/BuddhaTheCatYearTwo#5249367389067093794 (without)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lythandra/BuddhaTheCatYearTwo#5249367394297106578
And looking just plain happy!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lythandra/BuddhaTheCatYearTwo#5249367375384691010
Buddha has been diagnosed with Prolapsed Gland of the Third Eyelid: "Cherry Eye" in the right eye and severe inflammation in the tissues of both third eyelids. This is most likely related to the allergies and his own immune system attacking the tissues of the eyes. We have attempted to replace the gland of the third eyelid manually in the right eye and will treat with topical steroids. The gland will likely return but we would like to treat medically before having to do surgery. If surgery is necessary, we would recommend biopsy of the gland rather than complete replacement as there is significant scarring and it is unlikely that this gland is still functioning. We have taken a small piece of the inflamed tissue from the left eyelid and will call you with the results of the biopsy. We are concerned that further investigation of the skin disease will be needed but we will start with this approach.
The doctor (Brady Beale) reinserted the tear gland back inside the eye socket, but there's only a 5% chance that this will permanently fix the problem. It's likely to pop back out because there's cartilage in the space where it used to be that gets folded up permanently. But for now, at least, Buddha's cherry is not there. You can still see the third eyelid, but he can comfortably close both eyes. If the cherry does pop back out, we'll address the next step. In the meantime, we have some eyedrops that are antibiotic/anti-inflammatory to put into his eyes twice a day to see if that will help get the swelling under control. She also took a tissue sample to send out for biopsy that we'll hear about in the next couple of days. It may turn out that he has a virus that requires more aggressive treatment.
She also may recommend that we consult with a dermatologist about the skin problems he's got on his face. Overall, I was confident that she knew what she was talking about.
Anyway, for comparison:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lythandra/BuddhaTheCatYearTwo#5181857865817594946 (with cherry)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lythandra/BuddhaTheCatYearTwo#5249367389067093794 (without)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lythandra/BuddhaTheCatYearTwo#5249367394297106578
And looking just plain happy!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lythandra/BuddhaTheCatYearTwo#5249367375384691010
