Baby Leo’s first visit to his local clinic was supposed to be a regular check-up – but what followed was a life-changing diagnosis of cataracts. His parents, while overwhelmed, thought they knew what to expect. But sadly, this couldn’t have been further from the truth. 

“At our six-week postpartum check-up, our local general practitioner observed that Leo’s red eye reflex – the reflection that typically appears in baby’s eyes when a light is shone on them – was absent,” Zoe, Leo’s mother, explained. 

“This was a significant concern, so we were referred to an ophthalmologist in Geelong, who then sent us straight to The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH),” she continued.  

The family later discovered that Leo, at just seven weeks old, had bilateral cataracts. This meant that the normally clear lens across both Leo’s eyes were cloudy, severely affecting his vision.  

The family were familiar with cataracts, especially among older adults. They were even familiar with the recovery process and what the condition meant. Armed with this knowledge, they felt confident they knew what to expect and prepared to tackle what lay ahead.  

“Initially, we assumed it would be a straightforward surgery to remove the cataracts, and that life would then return to normal,” Zoe shared. 

“However, after our first appointment at the RCH, we quickly realised that managing Leo’s condition would be a long and complex journey,” she added. 

Just one week after his diagnosis, Leo had to undergo intensive surgery to remove the cloudy lens that was significantly impacting his vision. A few weeks later, he had to undergo further surgery to remove any scar tissues that had developed as a result of the initial procedure. This meant two significant surgeries in the space of a few weeks in Leo’s first three months of life.

The RCH’s ophthalmology department is among the best in the world. With dedicated support from the Professor Frank Billson Research Scholarship, children at the RCH and beyond have been able to access high-quality and personalised paediatric eye care.

Established by philanthropist Shelley Kline, the Professor Frank Billson Research Scholarship honours the legacy of ophthalmologist Professor Frank Billson AO, and is helping to improve outcomes for children just like Leo.

Since Leo’s very first visit to the RCH, Zoe and her husband Michael couldn’t help but feel comforted and thankful for the excellent care provided by the hospital. 

“I still vividly remember sitting in the hospital with my husband, Michael, holding our tiny baby and feeling terrified as we prepared to hand him over for surgery,” Zoe said. 

“But the nurses were absolutely amazing — they reassured us, answered all our questions, and provided so much emotional support. The level of care and dedication from the entire RCH team has been extraordinary,” she reinforced. 

These surgeries, however, were just the start of Leo’s lifelong vision care. Once he had recovered, Leo was then fitted for contact lenses. 

“With his cataracts being removed, he had also lost the natural lenses that were originally in place when he was born. So, the contacts replace the role that those lenses played,” Zoe emphasised. 

These new contact lenses would also play a key role in helping to develop his vision and protect his eyes. But sadly, they were a source of massive heartache and pain initially.   

“When we first got the contact lenses, it took so much energy to get them in and out. Leo would be screaming, and we would be forced to pin him down. It was all just pretty horrible,” Zoe shared. 

“But we knew the contacts were our only option to give him the best chance at improved vision and development,” she continued. 

Today, almost two years later, Leo is kicking goals and even calls on his parents to put his contact lenses in.  

“Now, he’s an absolute gem with putting in his contact lenses. He even shakes his contact lens case when he knows it’s time to put it in,” Zoe said proudly. 

While Leo will still require ongoing care, Zoe and her family are incredibly grateful for the generosity of donors who support the hospital to deliver world-class care.  

“For us, the support we received at the RCH was life changing. It gave Leo the best possible chance at good vision and a bright future,” Zoe highlighted.  

“Knowing that people out there are willing to contribute to help children like Leo means everything to us, and we are forever grateful for the kindness and generosity of those who support the hospital,” she concluded.