BRENHAM STUDENT RECEIVES NEEDED EYE SURGERY

  

Ashyln Sandoval is a first grader at Krause Elementary School who has nystagmus, a vision condition in which the eyes make repetitive, involuntary movements. When Ashlyn arrived at Krause Elementary School in December 2015, principal Courtney Mason put into motion a community-wide effort to get Ashyln the medical attention she needed.

In January 2016, Mason arranged for Ashlyn to visit Dr. Steven Beim in Brenham for an eye exam. With the help of the Brenham Noon Lions Club, Ashlyn received glasses from Dr. Beim, but her vision problems persisted.

In November 2016, campus counselor Roseann Mueller arranged for Ashlyn to see Dr. Rachel Cook at Berkeley Eye Center in Brenham. Dr. Cook diagnosed Ashlyn with congenital nystagmus and contacted Dr. Matthew Recko, Pediatric Ophthalmologist in Temple, to share Ashlyn’s story and inquire about possible surgical options.

Beginning in January 2017, Mueller and teacher Sarah Montes drove Ashlyn and her mother to Temple for appointments with Dr. Recko to prepare for surgery. Ashlyn also visited local Brenham pediatrician and former Brenham ISD school board member Dr. Donald Draehn to establish pediatric patient care and receive a pre-surgery physical.

Last month, Ashlyn underwent surgery performed by Dr. Recko to reduce the effects of nystagmus. Since the surgery, Ashlyn has returned to school and is already showing signs of improvement. She recently traveled to Temple for a 6-weeks post-surgery follow-up appointment with Dr. Recko and was all smiles!  Story and photo courtesy of Brenham ISD.