"Mom I'm using both eyes!"

Ashley is a wonderful three year old, full of energy and enthusiasm. Ashley was born with Moebius syndrome, a rare congenital neurological disorder characterized by facial paralysis and the inability to move the eyes from side to side. As a result, she has a difficult time using her eyes together. Kerri Marczuk, a Lighthouse Central Florida Early Intervention Instructor, works with Ashley in training her to use both of her eyes in unison. Ashley learns quickly and retains much of what she is taught.  The training she receives is specifically designed so she can reach all developmental targets for her age.
 
Ashley’s training in not only instructive but is fun and engaging. The exercises used in her training have been made into games. One game she really enjoys is called “going shopping.”  Toys are lined up in rows and she is given a small bag to collect them. She is then instructed as to the order in which she is to collect them. The order of collection encourages her to develop her skills in visual scanning from left to right. This game will help Ashley succeed with future reading and writing, and for scanning her environment to increase her awareness of her surroundings. Another game she enjoys is a ball toss game. Ashley must either toss the ball to Kerri or into one of four buckets lined up in front of her. This game develops her depth perception and gross motor skills.
 
Ashley was recently evaluated by the school system to gauge her progress and development. Ashley shocked her parents and those evaluating her when she joyfully announced “Mom, I’m using both eyes.”  The basics she learned in early training are building blocks for everything she will learn in the future. Ashley is continually learning new things at a surprisingly quick pace. New activities may be hard at first but with increased skill in using both eyes and her Mom’s consistent reinforcement, Ashley is well on her way to achieve the developmental targets for her age and even above.
 
Sight is a complex process in which many things must work together. Observe your child for indicators of vision problems such as favoring one eye over the other, holding toys and books very close to the face, an inability to judge distances in games, or other unusual habits. A comprehensive vision examination may be the best gift to insure your child’s success at school and at play. Call an make an appointment to assess the eye health and vision of your child.

By supporting Lighthouse Central Florida, you help blind and sight impaired babies, children, adults, and seniors develop the skills they need to live independent and productive lives.



Wishing you clear vision Always!

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