Cornea Recipient Regains Her Independence
When Judith was diagnosed with Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy- a disease that affects the inner cells of the cornea- she worried that she   would eventually lose the majority of her sight.  Judith recalled how her father suffered from the same disease and later in life became legally blind.  He was no longer able to drive and lost much of his independence due to vision loss. 

Judith’s inherited vision condition was diagnosed early in life and her eye doctors monitored her many years.  However, after switching doctors she was told it was time to start seeing a specialist, who recommended she undergo a corneal transplant.  While anxious for the surgery, Judith felt quite nervous as she hoped that this surgery would save her sight.

Judith underwent her first transplant surgery in her left eye and then a second in 2008 in her right eye.  Both surgeries were successful in restoring sight.  Judith’s second surgery was a DSAEK, or partial thickness corneal transplant, where only a thin layer of cells were transplanted.  Her healing time in this new kind of transplant was even quicker than with the first.

Today, Judith continues to enjoy an independent lifestyle- one that she wishes her father could have had when he suffered from Fuchs’ many years ago.  She is quick to thank her donor’s family and show gratitude for the individual who was able to give her the gift of sight. 

“I feel so blessed that I had donors who were able to do this for me,” said Judith.