My son was born with bulging eyes and totally blind – but baffled doctors don’t know why
My son was born with bulging eyes and totally blind – but baffled doctors don’t know why
- Kobi-Jai Morgan was born in March 2022 with bruises around his eyes
- Doctors found that the structure of his eyes is not yet fully developed
A mother asks for answers about the mysterious condition that caused her son to have bulging eyes.
Kobi-Jai Morgan, who is registered as blind, was born last March with bruises around his eyes and was unable to open them.
He spent six weeks in the hospital, where doctors found that the structure of his eyes hadn’t fully developed, but they couldn’t figure out why.
Despite appointments with specialists, medics continue to scratch their heads as to what is causing his condition.
His mother, Morgan Nottingham, from Ystalyfera in South Wales, is now desperate for answers.
Kobi-Jai Morgan, who is registered as blind, was born in March 2022 with bruises around his eyes and unable to open them
His mother, Morgan Nottingham (right), from Ystalyfera in South Wales, is now desperate for answers
The 24-year-old was induced last spring at a hospital in Bridgend, where she had a difficult delivery.
Kobi-Jai was then transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit at Singleton Hospital in Swansea and put on a ventilator and a feeding tube.
In addition to bruising around the eyes, he had a large hole in his heart and a floppy larynx – the tube that helps carry air to the lungs and contains vocal cords.
Due to his unknown condition, his eyes are light sensitive and he spends a lot of time in discomfort.
As a result, he sometimes scratches his eye and pushes his eyelids towards his eyebrows when they are irritated.
His mother administers four different types of eye drops to Kobi’s eyes every day and he wears specialized transparent glasses made by Cardiff University.
The 15-month-old baby has been to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and has seen private specialists but is still undiagnosed.
However, tests show that he can see some light and shadows.
Ms Nottingham said: ‘We have agreed that he may not have his vision for life. But we get the look as it is.
“He has bulging eyes and the bottoms of his eyes are scraping his cheek. He doesn’t realize it while he’s little, but it’s really sad, bless him.’
Kobi-Jai can now tell his mother when his eyes are bothering him.
She added, “He can’t go on like this with his eyes. There must be someone who knows something.
Kobi-Jai was then transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit at Singleton Hospital in Swansea and put on a ventilator and a feeding tube. In addition to bruising around the eyes, he had a large hole in his heart and a floppy larynx – the tube that helps carry air to the lungs and contains vocal cords
The 15-month-old baby has been to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and has seen private specialists but is still undiagnosed. However, tests show that he can see some light and shadows
“This is completely new to us. When he goes to school, you know what kids are like. He already has kids who come up to him and say, “Oh mommy, he looks scary”. I want answers.’
Ms Nottingham called for more research and resources that could help Kobi-Jai.
She said: “At the moment we have not found any blind support centres, schools or sensory classes locally. The nearest specialist school is in Birmingham.
“We want to raise awareness and help and support other parents who are going through the same thing. We are all learning.’
a fundraiser set up to support Kobi’s medical care has raised over £12,500.
Friends of the family have organized a 12-hour charity walk, a five-a-side football tournament and a bike ride in an effort to raise more money to help with his care.