Girl born visually impaired opens eyes properly thanks to surgery

By Leo Black and Sam Wightwick via SWNS

A toddler born visually impaired due to a rare condition can see clearly for the first time thanks to corrective surgery.

Lily Etherton, two, suffers from Blepharophimosis Ptosis Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome (BPES), which means she couldn't open her eyes fully.

Lily's condition meant she had droopy eyelids, smaller than average eye openings and an upward fold of the inner lower eyelid.

As she grew older, the condition made it difficult for Lily to move, walk and function.

She'd fall easily or bump into things, often hurting herself.

Last month, Lily was operated on and underwent a frontalis flap surgery, which aimed at opening her eyes so she could see properly.

Lily's surgery was a resounding success and the tot is now "sassier, sillier and more energetic."

Parents Ashley and Erik Etherton, 32 and 38, from Salem, Oregon, USA, found out about Lily's condition when she was born.

Lily's eyes only opened one millimeter at most, leaving her almost completely blind and subject to falls and bumps.

Mom Ashley often had to gently open Lily's eyelids so she could see the world.

Ashley said: "She kept bumping into things and falling over because of her eyes.

"She kept getting hurt. She's always have bruises on her legs and bumps on her head.

"We would actually pull up her eyes to help her see."

Lily initially had an operation at seven weeks called Bilateral Frontalis Silicone Sling surgery, which helped for six months.

Ashley said the surgery, held at Oregon Health and Science University, is one of the only FDA-approved surgeries for BPES.

While effective, it often requires re-doing and Lily's surgeons wouldn't try it again until much until she was old enough to go to school.

Ashley and Erik, who works in construction, felt they couldn't let the little girl's eyes stay closed as it may delay her development.

Ashley said: "It causes developmental delays and vision impairment.

"Your walking, jumping, depth perception… If you're learning to do things you need your eyes."

Therefore, in September 2023, the couple decided to consult with Dr Ramón Medel Jimenez, an orbital and lacrimal surgery specialist in Spain.

According to Ashley, the corrective surgery Dr Medel offered to perform is not FDA approved so the couple decided to fly to Spain.

However, the surgery would cost the family £15,000 (18,000 Euros), a sum they couldn't afford.

The couple were forced to fundraise.

Ashley, a stay-at-home mom, set dozens of fundraisers, made sweets to sell, held benefits raffles and appealed on local news.

Ashley spent 40 hours a week for four months fundraising for Lily's operation and raised £25,368 ($32k).

Ashley said: "He [Erik] helped as much as he could but as a single-income household he had to keep the lights on.

"I was working 40-hour weeks, but I used to work at a call center so I'm used to it. I was so tired when the surgery came."

The money raised was enough to pay for the surgery, flights to Spain, hotels and even have some left over.

The treatment was a miraculous success and left Lily able to see easily for the first time.

Ashley said: "The first thing she saw was me! She had to wear bandages for about 18 hours after her surgery so once we pulled them off, she was able to see me.

"She was confused, excited and angry all at the same time because it was bright in the doctors room that we removed the bandages in."

Her recovery process involves two ointments, one steroid cream and one disinfectant.

Ashley added: "She's amazing now and she looks wonderful. She's sassier, sillier and more energetic."

Now Ashley is looking to invest the remainder of the money in campaigning to have Dr Medal's surgery approved by the FDA.