Boston Foundation for Sight : Scleral Lens, Dry Eyes, Keratoconus, Corneal Transplant, Lasik, Optometrists, Ophthalmologist, Liquid Corneal Bandage, Severe dry Eye, Ocular Surface Disease

Dr. Helen Gelhot had never seen her husband or daughter. The CBS Evening News program in August showed her eight-year-old daughter putting makeup on her mother and painting her fingernails. Helen had been in the dark for 14 years dealing with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, an allergic reaction that leaves the eyes scarred and painful. She couldn’t tolerate even the faintest light. Indoors, Helen’s signature outfit included dark sunglasses and a

fashionable hat with a wide brim. Before they were married, her husband described himself to her as looking like Robert Redford. She wanted to regain her sight, but her doctor said nothing more could be done.

This story ended well as Helen came to Boston and was fitted successfully with the Boston Scleral Lens. When she first saw her husband’s face, she exclaimed that he looked even better than Robert Redford! Armed with a new driver’s license Helen has become a motivational speaker, giving lectures to groups interested in her experiences and telling them about the BFS as a way to spread the word and raise money for our mission.

On the CBS Evening News show, Dr. Rosenthal comments, “Stevens-Johnson syndrome cases are the most challenging to fit. We will do everything we can to be successful because the opportunity to make a dramatic difference in their lives is so great. Sight should not be a gift, it should be a birthright.”