Help Laura See Again: Fund Her PROSE Lens

Fundraising to get Laura (our sister and cousin) a PROSE Lens for her only seeing eye to bring back her vision. Laura is a retired Texas teacher (30 yrs) currently working two jobs. She drives to rural school districts providing educational support to visually impaired children whose schools do not have Braille teachers. She also is an adjunct professor in the evenings teaching future Braille teachers. She has to have her vision to drive to her students.

Laura was born with Ectodermal Ectrodactyly Clefting (EEC) dysplasia. This came with many physical differences.

These abnormalities have been corrected or treated with surgeries and medications throughout Laura’s life. However, the most life-limiting characteristic is the effect of EEC on her eyes. The corneas are badly damaged and she is not a candidate for a corneal transplant. She no longer has usable vision in her right eye meaning she can only see hand movement. The deterioration of the cornea in her left eye is limiting her ability to drive and brings with it a loss of independence. Corneal diseases often result in severe chronic pain. Despite intense daily pain, Laura has continued to live life to the fullest.

Her doctors at UT Southwestern Dallas have recommended her next step is Boston Sight Clinic. They have developed a special prosthetic for the cornea called the PROSE lens. It is common for prosthetics to not be covered by insurance (including limbs).

The price of this treatment is approximately $17,000 and requires the patient to stay 7-12 days.

The cost is limiting Laura’s options, as she is already paying medical debt from required eye care this past year as her vision began deteriorating.

She will need to fly to Boston, stay in a hotel, and travel to the clinic multiple times each day while she is there.

This is an effort to help with the funding for this medical device and the travel costs to the Boston Sight Clinic. We greatly appreciate any contribution of any amount! As Laura is the only driver in her home, it is our greatest hope that she will be able to get the PROSE Lens and continue to work serving visually impaired TX children, future Braille teachers, as well as live a full life with less pain!

Thank you so much for reading, we are grateful for your time and appreciate all the support and prayers for Laura’s restored vision. She is an amazing person who has dedicated so much of her life to helping others - we wish you all could know her.

Mecca, Lori & Amy

What is a PROSE Lens:

The PROSE lens is specifically designed for the surface of each patient’s diseased cornea and it covers a portion of the sclera (part of the eye). It is larger than a regular contact lens, covering most of the eye. Visual acuity can be greatly improved, and the surface is bathed in saline, helping to reduce pain. The end result is less pain and maintaining vision.