In the fall of 2002, I learned that my second cornea transplant failed. Doctors did not recommend another transplant because both of my previous ones had failed. Research was being done about artificial corneas, but I would have to wait for more information.
Since then, I have learned that the artificial cornea is called the Alphacor, and it has been approved for use in the United States. Very few doctors are able to perform the procedure to transplant the Alphacor. I am fortunate to live within a reasonable distance of one of them.
I was evaluated by two doctors who have performed surgeries giving people artificial corneas: Dr. Gulani of Jacksonville, FL, and Dr. Price of Indianapolis, IN. Because other structures in my eyes are damaged by other conditions, receiving an artificial cornea will provide me only limited improvement in my vision. However, a clear cornea would allow me to maximize the use of the small amount of vision I do have. I will move forward with plans for surgery and, if necessary, fund-raising following an additional evaluation to ensure that my other eye conditions are stable.
I receive financial assistance via government programs for people with disabilities and income from a variety of services I offer and products sold via my web site. Even with these resources, my income is quite limited. Like many people who receive public assistance, Medicaid pays for most of my medical treatments. However, some medical supplies, including the Alphacor, are not covered by Medicaid. Receiving this treatment depends on the assistance of family, friends, and others who feel inspired to provide financial support.
There are many people in the United States like myself who have complicated eye conditions and who need treatment in order to maximize the vision they have remaining. Loss of even a small amount of vision can be difficult to cope with emotionally and cause losses of skills and self-confidence. I was fortunate to have learned to use nonvisual techniques early in my life, and I encourage the learning of alternative techniques for people with very poor or unstable vision. I also appreciate the benefit of using all of the senses, and for this reason I believe strongly that people should not be denied access to treatments because of low income or insurance restrictions. My hope is not only to regain some of the vision that I have lost because of the failed cornea transplants but also to help other people learn about the importance of timely treatment for vision loss.
As an initial effort, I have made my ebook, Past the Gray Curtain, available for reading free online. This book tells the story of my search for treatment in 1998 and 2001 and my process of coming to terms with my feelings about and experience of blindness during that time. I hope that it will help readers to understand the experiences of people who lose their vision, even those who may have compromised vision in the first place. If you have not already done so, please click here to read the ebook.