Recipient Stories

At age 42, Mary of Emporia, Kan. was diagnosed with Fuchs’ dystrophy, a progressive disease in which one’s vision becomes blurred. Like many younger patients who face the disease, Mary wondered how she could juggle her family and busy career as her eyesight deteriorated.

It was a routine eye exam that brought an incredible gift full circle for Diane, a cornea transplant recipient.

In August 2011, Diane of Independence, Mo. went to her eye doctor for a new pair of eyeglasses. During the exam, the optometrist noticed Diane showed signs of Fuchs’ dystrophy, a corneal disease that can lead to permanent blindness. Because Fuchs’ is usually a slowly progressing condition, Diane was surprised to learn the disease affected both of her eyes.

Losing precious sight from corneal blindness can be an overwhelming and difficult experience for many.  For Ramona, who   experienced a decade of vision loss from posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPMD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), it was devastating.  As a watercolor art hobbyist, Ramona relies on her vision to paint scenes and portraits.  However, as her vision diminished, painting the world around her became increasingly difficult.

For a busy mom with three boys ages eight through 12, clear vision is critical to running her kids to their favorite sports and watching them from the bleachers.

Fuchs' dystrophy, a disease that causes the cornea to deteriorate, is one of the main reasons why someone requires a cornea transplant. It’s also hereditary, often touching multiple family members.

For years, Jerry of Shell Knob, Mo. had adapted to his lifelong nearsightedness, but by 1996, his vision had grown considerably worse.