Life Stories: Corneal Transplant Lets Boy See the World

Alejandro Ortiz

Cornea Recipient: San Antonio, TX

“Alejandro was a sweet and precious baby,” his family recalls, “but from the beginning we knew something was odd. His eyes seemed to be a blue color and we don’t have anyone in our family that has blue-colored eyes. As a baby, he would cry loudly if he was taken out into bright sunlight. After several doctors’ visits in pre-kindergarten, we learned what was wrong. He had been born with CHED disease [which affects the corneas and can result in blindness.]. It was only a year after he was diagnosed that we learned he was quickly going blind and a transplant was the only option.

“At the age of 7, his world changed when he received ‘the gift of sight,’ a cornea transplant in his left eye. He has gone from having 20/100 to 20/60 vision.”

“Our family will be forever grateful to the family that donated the cornea our little boy received. Thanks to their gift, he now has the opportunity to see the world and all its beauty.”

Alejandro's story is courtesy of San Antonio Eye Bank, San Antonio, TX.

“Thanks to their gift, he now has the opportunity to see the world and all its beauty.”

— Alejandro’s family