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Help Gene to See

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My eye sight began to decline at the end of March, so I went to see an optometrist for an eye exam. He thought I just needed bifocals, which he ordered and I received. After 2 weeks, I went back to this same optometrist who said that my prescription has changed. He ordered a stronger pair of bifocals, which I also received. After 2 more weeks, with no visual improvement, my wife scheduled me with an ophthalmologist here in town on May 8th. The doctor there was so shocked by my inability to see that he referred me straight from his office for a same day appointment with a Retina Specialist. I had retina testing which showed that the problem is not my retinas. However, he referred me to a neuro-ophthalmologist in Pittsburgh for additional help.

On May 15th, 2018, I seen the neuro-ophthalmologist in Pittsburgh and went through an entire day of eye testing which revealed that both of my optic nerves are not working properly. This is causing my inability to see correctly. The optic nerves are like a bundle of tiny cables that connect your eyes to your brain and allows you to see.

Since then, I have gone through a battery of laboratory testing, MRI's of my head, neck, and cervical spine to check for masses, tumors,  bleeding in the brain, and spinal cord lesions. All negative. I am negative for TB, Lyme's Disease, Lupus, MS, NMO, and Leber's Disease. I have no cancerous cells in my blood since they checked for that as well.  Finally, I underwent a lumbar puncture that revealed a high amount of protein in my spinal fluid. The neuro-ophthalmologist said that this indicates an inflammatory process somewhere in the body. To this day, they have been unable to locate its source.

Due to the inflammation, the doctor ordered 3 days worth of high dose Solumedrol (steroid) back in early June with no effect on my eye sight. She was shocked that this did not work. I went back to Pittsburgh  on June 20th for a follow-up appointment with the neuro-ophthalmologist and my vision worsened to 20/500. Normal is 20/20. Stumped, she referred me to a colleague of hers, a neuro-immunologist, also in Pittsburgh. I seen him on June 29th and he feels that the problem could be inflammatory or auto-immune in nature. As a result, I began plasmapheresis treatments at an infusion center on July 10th. My 5 ordered treatments will end on July 20th. If my problem is due to an antibody attacking my own eyes, they feel that removing the plasma will decrease the amount of free floating antibodies since that is where they like to hide.

I feel like I am running out of time with my ability to see. I have lost a great deal of my central eyesight and much of my world is literally a blur. The doctors in Pittsburgh are stumped. I have reached out to the Wills Eye Hospital of Philadelphia for help, but they do not accept my insurance. Still, I need to go and see someone there for help since they are global leaders in eye care.  

Please, I need funds immediately to help pay for my eye care before it is too late. I will use the funds to pay for medical bills, travel back and forth to Philadelphia, hotel expenses, meals, and gasoline.

Currently, I have lost my ability to work and drive my car. I am currently receiving short term disability payments but have lost 50% of my income. I feel that my only option is to try to do the best that I can to save my sight. 

I would appreciate any donation amount to fund my medical cause.

Thank you in advance!

Gene
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Donations 

  • Emilie Rank
    • $50
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer

Gene Amigh
Organizer
Johnstown, PA

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