Alicia's Eye Surgery Fund

Thanks for taking the time to visit my page. As many of you know i am Alicia. I was born with Aniridia which is the absence of the iris, it is a condition that causes macular and optic nerve hypoplasia, cataract, and corneal changes, which have become significantly worse for me in the last year of my life. The eye condition has put me in a place where I struggle very hard on a regular basis to do everyday things. I have never seen well but, in the last year it has been significantly worse as my schoolwork has been harder, my licence was suspended after horrible accidents and I trip and fall over everything. My eyes have hurt on a level I have not experienced before and its time that I try to make a change so these things might not be so hard in my everyday life. I try hard to hide that all these everyday things are not so hard for me because I hate the idea of being different than anyone else or being limited, but there is no hiding that I have reached a point that I think I need help to make some changes to help me struggle less. Dr. Michael Snyder of the Cincinnati Eye Institute has recommended to improve my vision that I get a prosthetic Iris device implant and a double cornea transplant to improve my vision to the most it can be. The problem with these surgeries is that they are not FDA approved in the United States, which means it's extremely expensive and my insurance will not cover anything not approved by the FDA. In order for me to get this done we have to have the money upfront to send to the maker of the prosthetic Iris all the way in Germany and the doctor must perform the surgery as a study. Travel expenses will be very hard as I will need to spend a lot of time going to and from both Ohio and Kentucky and staying there between these surgeries for extended periods of time. My family and I just don't have the money that we need to do this for me. I hate asking anyone for anything but I have reached a point I think that have too. If we can raise enough money I am eligible to have this surgery promptly after the lenses are made and sent back from Germany which takes eight weeks and the study allows us a year from now to proceed with the surgery. Any money that you could spare to help me and my family would be appreciated more than you know. My family and I will post updates soon on the eye color I choose to have and updates of the process here on the go fund me page as things happen. Thank You all so much in advance. I am so blessed to have so many caring people in my life that are eager to help me. If you do donate please do so as a gift so that we don't have to claim the go find me on taxes

Much Love -Alicia