A future that's 20/20

When baby Canaan's vision problems turned out to be a congenital cataract, the family and Dr. Justin Widner from Claiborne County Pediatrics acted quickly to save this young patient's sight.

“He doesn’t like to sit. He likes to be on the lookout for everything,” Madison says of her toddler son, Canaan.

While that’s true of many two-year-olds, the phrasing is especially poignant for Canaan, whose vision was threatened at birth.

Canaan was born with a congenital cataract. It was a serious diagnosis that his pediatrician, Dr. Justin Widner at Claiborne County Pediatrics, discovered on Canaan’s very first newborn visit.

Timing for the case was key: if treatment for the cataract wasn’t performed before Canaan turned 6 weeks old, he could have lost his vision permanently.

Dr. Widner worked with Madison and her husband Jeffrey to escalate Canaan through East Tennessee Children’s Hospital’s network of care. Because of Dr. Widner’s connection to the hospital, the family was able to meet with eye specialists in the nick of time. And together, Claiborne County Pediatrics and hospital staff were able to save Canaan’s sight.

Now the toddler enjoys playing with his siblings, making faces at mom and dad, and experiencing the world around him.

Having an established medical home is important for your child’s health. Making sure your child receives routine checkups, especially in their first 5 years, will help them reach their developmental milestones. Plus, finding a pediatrician you trust can help catch early warning signs for future health issues.

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital has a network of primary care offices across East Tennessee that puts world-class care in your hometown. Visit our primary care page to find a Children’s Hospital pediatrician near you.

A future that's 20/20 - Canaan's Story with Claiborne County Pediatrics