AT JUST 6 MONTHS OLD, ANALEIGHA FACED SURGERY TO SAVE HER SIGHT FROM A RARE BIRTHMARK

A Birthmark That Put Her Vision at Risk

When Deanna Vaivao welcomed her baby girl, Analeigha Branford, she could never have imagined that a birthmark near her daughter’s right eye would lead to weeks of medical appointments and a journey across the country.

Analeigha had developed a rare vascular birthmark affecting her right eye. The family consulted several doctors while trying to understand exactly what it was and what treatment she would need.

As the appointments continued, her mother learned that the condition could threaten Analeigha’s eyesight if it was not treated soon enough. For Deanna, the possibility that her little girl might lose her vision was frightening.

She knew she needed answers—and a medical team experienced enough to help her daughter.

A Family Travels Across the Country

Deanna and her family traveled from Oregon to New York City to seek treatment for Analeigha. They were referred to specialists at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, where surgeons Teresa O and Milton Waner would perform the procedure.

The treatment was not a simple decision. Surgery around a baby’s eye requires great care, particularly when doctors are concerned about the development of vision.

Specialists explained that vision develops during early childhood. If a young child’s eye is kept closed or vision is obstructed for too long, the connection between the eye and the brain may not develop properly. This made timely treatment especially important for Analeigha.

For her parents, traveling far from home meant placing their trust in a team they hoped could protect their daughter’s future.

A Two-Hour Operation

When Analeigha was six months old, she underwent surgery to remove the vascular birthmark from her right eye.

The operation lasted approximately two hours. Surgeons Teresa O and Milton Waner worked to remove the affected tissue and address the risk the birthmark posed to her eyesight.

The procedure was reported as successful. For Deanna, who had described being nervous and crying on the way to the hospital, the outcome brought a moment of relief after an emotionally exhausting period.

The family had faced uncertainty about the diagnosis, repeated medical appointments and the fear of potential vision loss. Now, Analeigha had undergone the treatment her doctors believed was necessary.

Help That Made Treatment Possible

The cost of specialized surgery can be a major obstacle for families seeking care far from home. In Analeigha’s case, the hospital waived its fees, while the Vascular Birthmark Institute and the Little Baby Face Foundation helped cover other costs.

This support allowed her family to pursue the treatment without carrying the full financial burden themselves.

The case also highlighted the importance of specialists who understand rare vascular birthmarks and the complications they can cause. For babies, the timing of treatment can be particularly important when a condition threatens normal visual development.

A Hopeful Step Toward the Future

Analeigha’s surgery was reported as a success, offering her family hope after months of concern about her eye and vision.

Her story is a reminder that a birthmark is not always only a cosmetic difference. Depending on its type and location, a vascular birthmark can sometimes affect important functions and require timely medical assessment.

It also shows how determined parents can be when they are trying to protect their child’s future. Deanna kept searching for answers and traveled across the country to find a team with the experience to help her daughter.

The published report confirmed that the birthmark was removed successfully, but it did not provide a detailed long-term update on Analeigha’s vision. Her story therefore represents an important treatment milestone rather than confirmation of a complete, lifelong recovery.

Source: ABC7 New York, “6-month-old undergoes successful surgery to remove rare birthmark that put eyesight at risk,” August 13, 2022.