Hello there! I’m Rahul, a proud resident of the Netherlands with my wonderful wife, Kruttika, and our 7-year-old son, Ahan. Today, I’m sharing our wild ride of protecting Ahan’s eyesight and how it motivated me to launch this blog.
Becoming the Eye Police: The Battle Begins
In January 2022, we took Ahan for a routine eye exam. Imagine our surprise when the doctor told us he had high power and astigmatism. As a dad, my heart sank. I had minus 2 power myself since my high school days, so I knew the drill, but I hoped he’d inherit his mom’s perfect vision instead.
During our visit to India later that year, our family ophthalmologist in Mumbai raised a red flag. Ahan’s power was quite high for his age. He mentioned the risk of a condition called Keratoconus. Immediate panic! Keratoconus, which makes the dome shaped cornea more conical, sounded serious. More on this in future posts. The doctor’s advice? Glasses all day, every day. Strict control on TV and reading time to minimise eye strain.
Becoming the Eye Police: The Battle Begins
When we were supposed to be enjoying our vacation, I transformed into the Eye Police. TV time was strictly monitored, and the number one rule: wear your glasses as soon as you wake up. I felt like a dictator enforcing these rules on my poor 4-year-old, but I was willing to do anything to avoid the Keratoconus monster.
With regular medicine offering saying there is no treatment, we turned to alternative therapies. Our trusted acupuncturist suggested carrots and more protein. So, we decided to try a Bugs Bunny diet with a mix of eggs and chicken. But it didn’t feel enough.
The Ayurvedic Adventure
Desperate for some miracle cure, on the day before we were due to fly back to the Netherlands, we took a road trip to consult an Ayurvedic doctor in Pune. After a marathon consultation, she diagnosed Ahan with excess pitta (acid). Her prescription? A strict diet: no garlic, no tomatoes, no eggs, no meat, and minimal sugar. Plus, two herbal powders and a tonic twice a day.
Back in the Netherlands, we did a culinary 180. We dropped protein. Omelettes were out, and every meal was followed by a cocktail of medicines that probably made his taste buds cry. Kids parties became a minefield of forbidden cakes and sugary drinks. We kept a hawk’s eye on his eyesight, waiting for the next exam. But we felt like we were taking some action, so we persisted.
Mixed Results and Mixed Emotions
Ahan’s eye power remained stable, a small victory in our book. But then came the stomach issues. Frequent stomach aches and even a bout of worms had us all frazzled. The sleepless nights were tough on everyone. We started researching on the internet again. Garlic, the forbidden superfood, turned out to be the missing puzzle piece. So, around mid-2023, after much hand-wringing and indecision, we called it quits on the Ayurvedic regimen. Garlic was back, and so was some normalcy. His stomach issues improved and his eye power stayed stable!
The Birth of This Blog
Vision is crucial for a child’s development, and our journey made me realize how hard it is to find clear, reliable information. I often felt lost in a sea of contradictory advice. I discussed my experience with my childhood friend, Manas, who is a top eye surgeon. He confirmed there’s a need for simplified education on children’s eye care.
That’s why I started Precious Little Eyes. It is a community for parents to find well-researched, practical tips to care for your child’s eyes, all reviewed by Dr. Manas. We’ll also host Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions with him so you can get your burning questions answered.
Join Our Community!
Stay updated and swap tips with other parents by joining our WhatsApp group. Share this post with fellow parents and invite them to join too. Together, let’s keep our kids’ precious little eyes healthy.
