Shiley Director Stuart I. Brown, M.D.
developed corneal transplantation in babies born blind from
corneal opacities nearly 30 years ago. Later, collaborating
with David I. Schanzlin, M.D. they refined some of the techniques.
Few surgeons in the world feel comfortable with this complicated
procedure, consequently, infants and children from all over
the world come to Shiley for their care.
Ophthalmologists recognize infant
corneal transplants as one of the most intricate, delicate
procedures done in ophthalmology. The cornea is the clear
front of the eye that covers the colored iris and the round
pupil. It helps focus what we see through the pupil. When
the cornea is clouded at birth, a transplant should be performed
in the first six weeks of life in order to provide the baby
with the best opportunity for vision.
Dr. Brown's reputation for success
is truly international with patients traveling commonly
to Shiley from all parts of the world. Rachel Shemesh, mother
of a baby girl Hadas from Tel Aviv, Israel, shared passionately,
"There is no doctor like him, he is gentle. He knows
and cares so much. Compared with other doctors he is on
another level." Since most of these patients' care
requires an extended stay in San Diego, many have been accommodated
at the UCSD Bannister House, a group of apartments available
to long-term UCSD outpatients and their facilities at a
reduced cost. Additionally, some families are assisted by
members of the community who invite them to dinner and help
with transportation, translation, and shopping need.
|
Ronald Taylor, Jr. was born with one eye
that did not develop and a "good" eye that required
a corneal transplant. At three months of age Ron Jr. and parents,
Ron Sr. and Lola, arrived at Shiley from their home in Los Angeles
for treatment by Dr. Brown. Now seve1i-years-old, the first grader
enjoys video games, dinosaurs, and playing with his four-year
old sister, Brandi.
As Elena Hodges (pictured with
mom Lorraine) approached one-year of age it became apparent she
suffered from Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy, a disorder
of the inner cells of the cornea, resulting in a "cloudy"
cornea. Six months later her left eye was also affected. The Hodges
made multiple trips from their Los Angeles area home to Shiley
since June 1999 for Elena's corneal transplants.
|
Anna Villarreal's parents, Judy
and Sergio, searched for a transplant specialist throughout the
country. Sergio eventually found Dr. Brown and learned he had
the most experience treating Anna's corneal disease. Two months
after Anna's October 1998 birth, the family traveled from Dallas
to San Diego. The Villarreal's experience with Shiley is so positive
they are considering relocating to Southern California - to be
closer to the Center.
Shay Arad suffered trauma to
one eye necessitating a corneal transplant for the one-year-old
Tel Aviv resident. He arrived at Shiley in the Spring of 1999
with his father, Ron, and maternal grandfather, Zvi Kahat. Older
than most of Dr. Brown's younger patients and already walking,
Shay often enjoyed running through the Shiley lobby. Ron, an award
winning plasma particle physicist, was able to sustain some level
of workload during their lengthy stay in San Diego, thanks to
UCSD's Department of Physics. Now back in Israel, Shay is being
followed by Drs. Zadok and Luski, two corneal specialists who
received their fellowship training at Shiley under Dr. Brown.
The Saadon family (pictured
with Dr. Brown) of Tel Aviv, arrived at Shiley three weeks after
Liron's birth in March 1999. In the delivery room Liron's parents,
Sharon and Nirit, learned he suffered from embryonic tumors that
protruded from his face and grew into each eye. The Saadons were
directed to Dr. Brown by Rabbi Firer in Israel who has referred
several patients here. Liron's condition required multiple, delicate
surgeries over a 4-month period to remove large tumors in his
eyes and to successfully perform the corneal transplants.
In 1992, a not yet two-month-old
Jessica Sapanara of Holualoa, Hawaii came to Shiley needing transplants
in both eyes. Reflecting on a recent visit of Jessica's, Dr. Brown
shared that seeing the development of these children long after
their infancy is always rewarding. Jessica's mother reports at
seven-years old she is learning ballet and hula and enjoys seeing
all the beautiful things around her.
|
