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News & Stories

Carmen

March 1, 2017

Photo of Carmen

Due to a condition called endothelial dystrophy, which means swelling of the cornea, I was having a slow deterioration of vision in both my eyes. I struggled with this condition for years, and finally in January 2014, I received a corneal transplant in my left eye.

My transplant surgeon beamed a great big smile on the morning of my surgery; when he saw me he said “We have a beautiful cornea for you!”.  It was a beautiful cornea indeed! The transplant was successful, the vision in my left eye is stabilized and no longer deteriorating. My right eye will need a transplant as well, but for now it’s hanging in there.

Thanks to my cornea transplant, I can easily drive, work, and live independently. I’m within a couple of years of retirement and plan to be able to do the things I love: play my piano, quilt, garden, make stained glass art, and teach Christian Yoga.

I’m so very thankful for my cornea donor, and would like to say to all donor families, a big heartfelt thank you from the bottom of my heart for the gift of sight from your loved one. It’s a very precious gift, and I am super blessed to have it. I will never take for granted the wonder of looking into a loved one’s eyes, beholding the beauty of God’s creation, and taking in the world around me. I can’t express how very thankful I am to be able to see as well as I can. I truly believe the eyes are the windows to your soul and I will always treasure this gift of sight.

Courtesy of San Antonio Eye Bank/KeraLink International

Read more on: Recipient Stories

More News & Stories

Nancy Travis
I am so thankful every day to my two donors and their families who said yes and gave me the gift of sight. This has allowed me to have near perfect vision in both eyes. I can work, I can read, I can see my grandchildren, and I can drive safely at night!
Jeremiah
My family was not aware that he had registered to become a donor. It wasn’t a great surprise though because that’s the kind of person he was: loving, caring, respectful, gracious and giving.

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