If you had to choose which of the five senses you would most fear losing which one would you pick? In surveys, 90 percent of people say ‘sight’. Sight underpins our mobility, our safety and our independence – and it gives us incredible enjoyment from simple things such as reading a good book to lifelong pleasures such as seeing a beloved’s face.
In 1987, I was diagnosed with a cornea ‘disorder’. Despite seeing many different ophthalmologists throughout the years, no-one was able to accurately diagnose the problem. Then in 2009, the condition started worsening and I started to lose my eyesight periodically. As both of my corneas were affected, this was debilitating to say the least. In 2010, I saw a cornea specialist who diagnosed my condition as a ‘cornea dystrophy’ and advised me that the only way in which I was going to have my vision restored was to undergo a cornea transplant.
On the 26th January 2011, I had my first transplant. The pathology report came back testing negative for cornea dystrophy but the prognosis unfortunately remains the same. At least there is a solution……. This site is dedicated to all of you who have cornea problems and may require cornea transplants. The aim is to provide you with some support and information based on my own experience during this very emotional and difficult time. I also invite you to participate and to provide feedback and comment so that others can in turn learn from your journey as the path can be lonely and the road to recovery is a very long one.
Laura
PS If you take a close look at the eyes in the banner, you will see that one is a lot clearer than the other. This is a picture taken of my own eyes – I wanted to show you just how radically different the eye can be with a transplanted cornea!
To contact me please e-mail me on info@corneatransplants.co.za