About Boston Foundation for Sight

Boston Foundation for Sight (BFS) is an internationally renowned nonprofit eye healthcare organization founded in 1992 and dedicated to restoring vision and improving quality of life for our patients and their families. We strive to transform complex corneal disease education, treatment and patient-centered care within the global medical community and the public at large.

Our Center of Excellence in Needham, MA employs a staff of 45 and includes: a world-class Medical Institute staffed with cornea specialists, ophthalmologists, specialty-trained optometrists and clinical technicians; a state-of-the-art PROSE Device Manufacturing Lab; a Clinical Research and Education Center and our Patient and Community Support Center.

PROSE Treatment

Prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem (PROSE) is a treatment for complex corneal disease pioneered by Boston Foundation for Sight and also available at thirteen specialty eye care institutes located in top-ranked academic medical centers in the U.S. and clinics abroad. PROSE uses FDA-approved custom designed and fabricated prosthetic devices to restore vision, support healing, reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for thousands of patients across the globe. In 2010 almost 80% of PROSE patients had their treatment covered by insurance and/or financial assistance. Lodging, travel and financial assistance resources are also available.

For many of the thousands of patients with conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), dry eye syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, keratoconus, ocular trauma, complications of LASIK, or complications of cornea transplantation, PROSE can be the ideal, and sometimes only, treatment capable of restoring vision and dramatically reducing symptoms such as eye pain, dry eye, blurry vision and light sensitivity.

Compassionate Care

Compassionate care is at the heart of our approach to healthcare. We strive to make the entire treatment experience as supportive and healing as possible for our patients and their families.

PROSE interdisciplinary treatment teams include a cornea specialist ophthalmologist, an optometrist who has completed an intensive 9-week PROSE Clinical Fellowship at BFS, medical assistants, trainers, and prosthetic device manufacturing engineers and technicians. PROSE treatment teams work with each patient, his/her support system and other medical providers to form a collaborative care network where all members work to understand each patient’s specific needs and reach treatment goals together.

Contact us today to learn if PROSE can help you!

About PROSE Treatment

Download a copy of PROSE: Information for Patients and Doctors (updated 12/6/11). This guide provides detail on the PROSE treatment process, the prosthetic devices used in PROSE and comprehensive indications for use.

What is PROSE?

Prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem (PROSE) is a pioneering medical treatment for complex corneal disease developed by Boston Foundation for Sight and also available at twelve specialty eye care institutes located in top-ranked academic medical centers in the US and clinics abroad. PROSE restores vision, supports healing, reduces symptoms and improves quality of life for using FDA-approved custom designed and fabricated prosthetic devices to support or replace impaired ocular surface system functions that protect and enable vision.

Benefits:

• Reestablishes a healthy and stable ocular surface environment that supports healing and reduces symptoms
• Improves blurry vision by masking surface corneal irregularities and transmitting a sharp image to the back of the eye
• Prevents damage by protecting and shielding the cornea and conjunctiva against the environment and eyelids

For many of the thousands of patients with conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), Sjogren’s syndrome, keratoconus, dry eye, pellucid marginal degeneration, ocular trauma, complications of LASIK, or complications of cornea transplantation, PROSE can be the ideal, and sometimes only, treatment capable of restoring vision and dramatically reducing eye pain and light sensitivity.

PROSE Prosthetic Devices

The prosthetic devices created during PROSE are transparent domes, about the size of a nickel, made of gas-permeable plastic that allows oxygen to reach the ocular surface. Devices fit under the eyelids and rest on the sclera (the relatively insensitive white tissue) of the eye, vaulting the damaged cornea and creating a new smooth optical surface that protects the eye from the environment and blink trauma. The devices are filled with sterile saline at the time of insertion, creating a reservoir of fluid that continuously bathes the ocular surface with oxygenated artificial tears. PROSE doctors design and fit devices to each patient’s unique eye shape and to meet specific treatment goals.

PROSE creates:

• A new transparent, smooth optical surface over the irregular, damaged or diseased cornea
• An expanded artificial tear reservoir that provides constant lubrication while maintaining necessary oxygen supply

PROSE Treatment Teams

PROSE interdisciplinary treatment teams include cornea specialist ophthalmologists, an optometrist who has completed an intensive PROSE Clinical Fellowship at BFS, ophthalmic technicians, and prosthetic device manufacturing engineers. PROSE treatment teams work with each patient, his/her support system and other medical providers to form a collaborative care network in which all members work to understand each patient’s specific needs and reach treatment goals together.

PROSE Clinical Fellows use our proprietary DTF™ CAD/CAM system to directly control the design and assure that each prosthetic device precisely fits the patient’s unique eye shape and maximizes ocular surface system function. Devices are manufactured at our state-of-the-art lab in Needham, MA, using Precitech ultra-precision diamond Nanoform computerized numerical command (CNC) lathes, which are typically used to manufacture high-tech parts for the aerospace industry.

Insurance Coverage

In 2010, almost 80% of our patients were covered by insurance and/or financial assistance. Our staff is happy to help with third-party coverage and financial applications; travel, financial and lodging resources are available at
www.bostonsight.org/patient-resources.

Schedule a Consultation Today!

The first step to determine whether PROSE can help you is an easy, no commitment two hour consultation. After eligibility is determined, treatment takes an average of 4-12 day long visits to complete, with periodic follow up visits as required in the first six months. Patients continue to be followed by their primary eye care provider throughout treatment, and ongoing care is coordinated with primary providers and the PROSE treatment team. 

Watch a video about SJS survivor and PROSE patient Kendra Schmidt!

Connected Visions - the BFS blog!

Please join us at Connected Visions, the BFS blog.

We created Connected Visions to be one more way of supporting our community to live well with corneal disease. BFS’s Online Community Advocate will post regularly about things that connect you to more empowering information, support and collective action.

Some of our recent posts include:

• Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation Aims to Shorten Time to Diagnosis
• Get GVHD and Transplant Support from a Peer Who Has “Been There”
• Willard Traub Exhibits Recovery at Boston Photographic Resource Center

Anyone can read the blog simply by visiting Connected Visions. If you would like to make comments on the posts (and we certainly hope you will be inspired to do so!) you will need to register and sign in. As when using any BFS online media, please take a moment to review the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

If we can do anything to make your experience at Connected Visions easier or more satisfying, please contact Online Community Advocate Janice M. Epstein.

Connected Visions! http://blog.bostonsight.org

View Connected Visions Blog New User Instructions

Help Boston Foundation for Sight Restore Sight and Reclaim Lives!

Thank you for investing in Boston Foundation for Sight!

Using our secure form, your tax-deductible contribution provides vital support for cutting-edge research initiatives, treatment services and outreach programs.

The monies raised will provide our patients and their families with the treatment and support that they need regardless of their ability to pay.

Your donation will transform lives. Please give to Boston Foundation for Sight today. 

Sign up for e-mail delivery of BFS' monthly e-bulletin - PROSE Eye View! PROSE Eye View includes features on our newest clinic opening, staff comings and goings, BFS and partner clinic research articles, and our very popular patient profiles. Sign up today and be kept up to date on all the latest BFS news!

View past editions of PROSE Eye View.

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