My name is Lynn Neillie and I have 20/20 eyesight–as a 68 year old! But prior to 2017, that was not my situation. I had Fuch’s dystrophy, a condition that would eventually cause diminishing (think grey, foggy) then zero eyesight—without a cornea transplant.
Thankfully, I have had two wonderful doctors who knew the diagnosis of Fuch’s (thank you Dr. Laura Miller!) and knew exactly what to do about it: (thank you, skilled expert surgeon Dr. David Tremblay!).
I didn’t realize for many years how poor my eyesight was. Every morning I would have a very difficult time seeing. My view was grey and fuzzy. Throughout the day, though, it gradually improved but never to truly good eyesight. A symptom of Fuch’s is that your eyesight improves throughout the day as the cells in my eyes would dismiss the moisture that they had gathered overnight.
I am a professional speaker and workshop leader. I have traveled all around the world—now I realize: not always having a clear view. Today I only minimally wear reading glasses and I amaze my young friends by reading signs and seeing sights that they can’t see. Who knew I could have 20/20 eyesight later in life?!
My favorite 30-day timeframe was when I had received my first cornea transplant, and I realized out of that eye, I could see clearly, light didn’t hurt me, and things were not grey. While we were waiting the prescribed 30 days before the second transplant surgery, I had the privilege of perspective: of the second untreated eye’s poor sight. What a grey, blurry world I saw from that eye-until Dr. Tremblay’s next surgery.
I am so grateful. I praise God every day for my unselfish donors who gave me their corneas and for Dr. Miller and Dr. Tremblay sharing their expertise with me.