Recipient’s life turns around

In 1976, Carmen Perez started to experience eye problems and learned she had Fuchs’ dystrophy, a slowly progressing cornea disease. Over the next few decades, Carmen’s vision began to deteriorate. Eventually, she knew it was time for a transplant.

In 2008, Dr. Christopher Rapuano performed a transplant in Carmen’s left eye. In 2013, she also had a transplant in her right eye. For the first time in many years, Carmen could see out of both eyes, and she said the difference was “immediate and incredible.”

Carmen urges others not to be afraid of the surgery. “Nerves are normal,” she says. “The surgery will turn your life around. I can now take care of my grandchildren and watch them grow up. It is truly a miracle.”