Help Noah With his Eye Surgery
Donation protected
Hi Everyone,
As you all know Noah has been struggling lately with his health. About a month ago we both went in for eye exams, and our local eye doctor was concerned about Noahs eyes. She mentioned his left eye in particular, and referred us to an eye specialist. Today was his appointment with Dr. Stulting at the Woolfson Eye Institute. Dr. Stulting confirmed that Noah does have keratoconis in both eyes, not just the left eye as the local doctor thought (although it is significantly worse in his left eye). Kind of a spark notes version, but keratoconis is where the cornea is too thin and is a progressive disease. Eventually, the cornea just wont hold up any more and vision is lost. The previous treatment for this was to simply wear rigid contacts to keep your eye in shape, with no way to prevent the vision deterioration/loss and eventually a corneal transplant. Now there is a treatment approved by FDA (but not covered by insurance) where they would essentially go in and scratch the cornea and use a special vitamin that will make the cornea stronger. That option caused issues as well, as the scratching/healing process sometimes left people with scarring and more loss of vision. This eye institute is one of 9 in the country that is using a trial, not yet approved by fda (or insurance) that uses the same vitamin and surgery to strengthen the cornea without the side effects. It would prevent his vision from becoming any worse and correct his cornea. It is a one time thing, and as long as he follows up with the facility for the next two years if it doesnt work for any reason they will redo at no cost. We will be doing the trial, as it seems the best option to preserve his current vision with less potential side effects.
We have been so very blessed by everyone and could not have gotten through everything without your help and prayers. Neither of the two surgeries possible are covered by insurance, and to be completely honest we are still catching up from the large bills from his other health issues and hospital stay in November. This surgery is $2950 PER eye and we would really appreciate your help sharing this go fund me.
Thank you, we love you all
As you all know Noah has been struggling lately with his health. About a month ago we both went in for eye exams, and our local eye doctor was concerned about Noahs eyes. She mentioned his left eye in particular, and referred us to an eye specialist. Today was his appointment with Dr. Stulting at the Woolfson Eye Institute. Dr. Stulting confirmed that Noah does have keratoconis in both eyes, not just the left eye as the local doctor thought (although it is significantly worse in his left eye). Kind of a spark notes version, but keratoconis is where the cornea is too thin and is a progressive disease. Eventually, the cornea just wont hold up any more and vision is lost. The previous treatment for this was to simply wear rigid contacts to keep your eye in shape, with no way to prevent the vision deterioration/loss and eventually a corneal transplant. Now there is a treatment approved by FDA (but not covered by insurance) where they would essentially go in and scratch the cornea and use a special vitamin that will make the cornea stronger. That option caused issues as well, as the scratching/healing process sometimes left people with scarring and more loss of vision. This eye institute is one of 9 in the country that is using a trial, not yet approved by fda (or insurance) that uses the same vitamin and surgery to strengthen the cornea without the side effects. It would prevent his vision from becoming any worse and correct his cornea. It is a one time thing, and as long as he follows up with the facility for the next two years if it doesnt work for any reason they will redo at no cost. We will be doing the trial, as it seems the best option to preserve his current vision with less potential side effects.
We have been so very blessed by everyone and could not have gotten through everything without your help and prayers. Neither of the two surgeries possible are covered by insurance, and to be completely honest we are still catching up from the large bills from his other health issues and hospital stay in November. This surgery is $2950 PER eye and we would really appreciate your help sharing this go fund me.
Thank you, we love you all
Co-organizers (3)
Noah Ashby
Organizer
Cartersville, GA
Brittany Ashby
Co-organizer
Kylie Vukovich
Co-organizer