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| Wonn, Cornea Recipient |
In 2003, I began to notice problems with my eyesight. I experience blurred vision, sensitivity to light and difficulty driving at night. After a visit to my ophthalmologist, I learned of my diagnosis – Keratoconous – the thinning of the cornea that causes distorted and reduced vision. I was placed on an eye treatment regimen, which proved to be unsuccessful ad left me with 10% vision remaining in my left eye.
I literally struggled just to be able to sign my name, read the newspaper, but more importantly, to see the faces of my three beautiful children. Many days my vision was so poor when I looked at my children, all I could see was a huge blur. I never told them of my inability to see their faces. I would take my hands, caress their faces and remind myself that I would soon be able to see their smiles again.
That year, I had my first cornea transplant. The transplant surgery took place at Hillcrest Hospital and was a same day outpatient procedure. I received local anesthesia for the surgery conducted by Dr. Scott Wagenberg. I left the hospital that day and was able to see clearly within 24 hours.
In 2006, the transplant began to reject and I was able to receive a second successful transplant again at Hillcrest Hospital with Dr. Wagenberg.
Each day is truly a special and I never take the gift of having my eyesight restored for granted. I thank God for Dr. Wagenberg, both donors and their family for making this gift possible.
