FOR PATIENTS | Patients We've Helped

Rich Infantino, of San Jose, California, feels that he
is one very lucky 59-year old man. He was happily
enjoying his second career as a massage therapist,
having retired from American Airlines a few years ago,
when he contracted multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.

To combat the cancer, Rich underwent two transplants.
His brother was the donor for the second transplant, a
“perfect match” they said. Unfortunately, the
brother’s blood was not as compatible as they had
hoped. The good news was that the transplant did seem
to combat the cancer, which is now in complete
remission. The bad news was that Rich developed “graft
vs host” disease, an event which happens in about 50%
of transplants as the patients’ blood feels that it
has to mount an attack against “foreign” blood.

This disease resulted in Rich having burns all over
his body, with his skin peeling off. The plastic
surgeon never did get to demonstrate his skill,
however, as all the burns cleared up on their own in
about two months. However, the eye problems caused by
the burn like effects of “graft vs host disease” did
not clear up. Rich found that his right eye wouldn’t open.
His left eye opened about one-third of the way, just enough
for a “quick peek” at the world. His eyelashes started to
grow into his eyes and scratched his cornea, causing
dry eye and pain, especially in the sunlight.

Rich and his wife traveled all over, looking for a
cure. No one had anything to offer, other than three
surgeries to keep his eyelashes from growing inward.
This worked about 75%, he said.

The stars were in alignment in early 2004 for Rich. In
quick succession, he saw a “graft vs host” newsletter
that mentioned the Boston Scleral Lens, the Inside
Edition T.V show showing the Boston Foundation for
Sight, and a science television show mentioning the
lens. Rich wasted no time in calling up and speaking
to Bill Rosenthal, who quickly gave him a time slot to
come to the office.

So, why is Rich lucky? He now can see 20/20 and has no
pain when he uses his Boston Scleral Lenses. He is
looking forward to seeing his son in Seattle and
daughter in California. He is looking forward to using
his computer again, going to the movies, reading and
seeing television, not just hearing it. He is
especially looking forward to driving the car again.

Looking forward is Rich’s new mindset. He loves his
Boston Scleral Lenses which made this possible.

by Ruth Orenstein
3/22/04

Dr. Amy Croteau fitting Richard with the Boston Scleral Lens

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