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Our Kids - Meet Brandan

When Rosemary and James Cescolini found out they were expecting a fourth child, they already had three healthy children. Rosemary went through another normal full term pregnancy. When Brandan was born, life seemed to be complete for the young family.

Brandan

Brandan, Glaucoma

Things changed when Brandan was three months old. He came down with a high fever and was taken to his local paediatrician. The family was told that Brandan had a viral infection. They noticed that Brandan's pupils had turned white.

Brandan was taken to SickKids where he met ophthalmologist, Dr. Alex Levin, for the first time. Within ten minutes Dr. Levin had diagnosed Brandan with bilateral cataracts. The cataracts had grown around the lenses of his eyes and though they were removed right away, Brandan was legally blind. Brandan would have to wear glasses and contacts and his family was told that he might develop glaucoma.

Dr. Levin monitored Brandan carefully since glaucoma is a serious condition where the pressure in the eye becomes elevated. This disease is commonly thought to only affect adults. There is no cure for glaucoma, only treatments that delay the onset of blindness.

Within six months of his operation Brandan had developed glaucoma.

While preparing for a family trip Rosemary noticed that Brandan was not his usual self. He was taken back to SickKids where they noticed that the pressure in his eyes was too high. The trip was cancelled while Brandan underwent an operation to insert a tube to drain his eye and alleviate the pressure.

Brandan has recovered from surgery and adjusted to life. He will be five years old this year and is well aware of how to care for his eyes. He understands why it is dangerous for him to play in the sandbox and never forgets to put on his protective eye equipment when he plays soccer or hockey. His favourite position is goalie.

Brandan has developed a love for racing and dreams of becoming a Ferrari driver. If he can maintain his vision, this dream could become a reality.

Very little is known about glaucoma in children. It is not expressed as the same disease as in adults. Adult treatments and surgical procedures are applied to children but are not as successful. In most cases, failure occurs because children's bodies are growing and always changing.

The Cescolinis were inspired to learn more about eye diseases and when they realized just how much research was needed they created the Brandan's Eye Research Fund. This fund helps to support work in the area of eye research, and through this, Dr. Alex Levin's Eye Research Program. The Cescolinis are grateful to have access to these programs at SickKids.

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