Dr. Alana Grajewski is a Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. To find out more about pediatric glaucoma, click here or visit the UHealth news blog.
RIANNA’S STORY:
When Rianna Patel was born her parents were shocked to learn she had Primary Congenital Glaucoma, a condition that could cause blindness.
“In the hospital her eye was completely gray, left eye, and we didn’t know what was going on. And the doctor said, ‘You know what, go to Bascom Palmer,’” says Rianna’s mom Sonal Patel.
That’s where Dr. Alana Grajewski, an expert in pediatric glaucoma, told them this was very different from the disease adults get.
“Children with glaucoma require surgery and often urgently. And it is one where the price is high if it doesn’t happen at an appropriate time,” Dr. Grajewski says.
Rianna had surgery when she was just a few days old, giving her a 90% chance of better vision. Now at age 14, new technology is allowing her to monitor her eye pressure at home!
“A probe looks like this. So, the small white bulb at the end is what touches your eye and collects your eye pressure. Like this,” (device beeps) Rianna demonstrates.
She then uploads the information in real time to her doctor.
“I am able to see Rianna’s pressure at times of the day that I otherwise never would,” says Dr. Grajewski. “If I do not want the pressure to be above a certain number, if it is above that, I will be sent an alert.”
Saving Rianna’s sight as she grows.
“It’s the best way to be able to fix and treat your eyes,” Rianna says.
FOCUSING ON YOU
Focusing on You: Innovations in Modern Medicine is a series of healthcare-related stories airing regularly on WPLG Local 10. For more stories like this one, visit YouTube channels for UHealth, the University of Miami Health System.
Above content provided by UHealth, the University of Miami Health System.