Tim'S STORY

Once diagnosed with having I.C.E. Syndrome in my right eye, I had no idea that the long journey I was going to undertake would eventually leave me a more grateful individual. Initially I let this progressive disease overwhelm me with fear and a sense of helplessness. With my first pressure valve resting in my eye to control the glaucoma, the disease permanently damaged the iris. The increased amount of light that could enter my eye, paired with blurred double vision, affected my entire visual world. I found myself avoiding the pleasures that a bright sunny day could offer and the evening moon appeared as though it had been split into two.

Fortunately I was led to a team of collaborative and forward thinking doctors. They supportively surrounded me and welcomed my questions about possible options to improve my vision. One of these options was a prosthetic iris that was being tested, but seemed out of my reach. The rest is history and, for all practical purposes, today my vision is restored in my right eye. I now have two new valves working to protect me from my glaucoma, an artificial interocular lens, a brown silicone prosthetic iris, and a partial cornea transplant. To all of my doctors and the family whose selfless hearts entrusted me with their child’s cornea, thank you for putting the moon back together for me.

The artificial iris is limited to the USFDA investigational trial