When Myasthenia Gravis is diagnosed in a child, it is called juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG). But for 4 year old Julius Chatman, the diagnosis was ocular myasthenia gravis.

A very rare case, Julius was only 2 years old when a routine eye exam showed something just wasn’t right. Near sighted and far sighted, Julius also displayed droopy eyelids (common MG symptom). Despite taking steroids alongside a medication regimen (very similar to that of a chemotherapy regimen) for over a year, Julius’ symptoms worsened and his disease was progressing. His eyelid muscle strength was barely existent and in Julius’ own words,

“I just couldn’t see anything, I was just blind.”

Julius was evaluated for thymoma- which when present, is resected surgically. Ocular MG with thymoma is treated with thymectomy surgery.  Removing the thymus gland is not a cure for ocular myasthenia gravis, and it is tricky as it is located so close to the heart. The surgery can however result in ocular MG remission and reduction of medication usage.

He, his family and his doctors are all waiting. The surgery’s effect can take months or even years to occur. Right now, all that is left from the 3-hour procedure, performed by heart surgeon Dr. Robert Stewart is a scar in the middle of Julius’ tiny chest. Julius says,

“It hurts when I touch it really hard.”

Julius is pretty well educated about his rare disease. He is a self proclaimed “little comedian” and he wants to be a surgeon when he grows up. We are certainly rooting for him.

 Click here for full story via Cleveland, OF WOIO. FOX10 News | WALA

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