Florida Lions Eye Bank changed its name to Beauty of Sight on September 1, 2023

Donor & Recipient Stories

Meet some people whose lives have been changed by the beauty of sight restored.



Corneal Transplant Donors


Kris

Kris was the kind of person who left a lasting impression on everyone he met. From a young age, his spirit shone brightly—a loving and adventurous soul with a magnetic pull on everyone around him. He was the son who made his parents proud, the brother who never hesitated to lend a helping hand and the friend who could light up a room with his smile.  

Kris made friends wherever he went, naturally drawing people to his warmth. He had a remarkable ability to turn strangers into lifelong friends. Known for his genuine kindness, he helped those in need without expecting anything in return. His heart was big, and he shared it freely with loved ones.
 

Fearless and always seeking adventure, Kris developed a love for biking as a child, a passion that continued into his adult life. Riding gave him a sense of freedom and made him feel most alive, with the wind in his hair and a wide grin. Each ride fueled his spirit, inspiring admiration from friends as he grew more daring and skilled. Though wild at heart, Kris was grounded by his deep love for family and friends, who cherished his ambition, honesty, and vibrant personality. He brought laughter with his quick wit and comfort with his warm smile, leaving behind a sense of light and love even in life's challenging moments.
 

When Kris passed away, he left one final gift: the gift of sight. His compassionate spirit lives on in a 74-year-old woman who received his eye donation, granting her the gift of vision, a selfless act characteristic of Kris, embodying the kindness he exhibited throughout his life. Though he is no longer with us physically, Kris&rsquo's legacy of compassion endures, bringing hope and light to others, just as he always did. Those who knew him remember him best during those happy, carefree moments and dash, laughing, riding his bike, and living each day with purpose and joy. His memory, filled with warmth and adventure, is a beautiful reminder of a well-lived life.

Gloria

Some stories can touch hearts and inspire others to appreciate the beauty of giving. This is one such story; the tale of a remarkable woman whose life stood as a testament to generosity, as conveyed by her loving daughter, Anna.


"My mom, Gloria, was a Navy widow, a devoted mother, and a proud grandmother to my children, Adrian and Sofia. Like all grandmothers, she cherished them deeply and loved them with all her heart. She was my best friend, and we shared a truly special bond. I miss her terribly, but I am forever grateful for the 90 wonderful years she had.”
 

My Mom was a giver in every sense of the word throughout her life as a military wife, mother, and grandmother, even after her death. She made the selfless decision to register as a donor and continued to give even after her death.
 

Her generosity went beyond what we could imagine. By donating her corneas, she helped advance research and medical training, giving an invaluable gift to the medical community and future patients.
I wanted to share this picture of her because it captures her happiness and love for life. Her legacy of generosity lives on, and her story is a powerful reminder of the impact one can have by giving the gift of life. This inspiring story showcases the ripple effect of giving and reminds us of the significant difference we can make by becoming donors.

Corneal Transplant Recipients


Emily

My name is Emily, and in March 2019, I became a corneal transplant recipient. My story starts in January of 2018 when I was a senior in high school. I began having serious problems with my left eye: it was red, swollen, sensitive to light, and incredibly painful. My dad and I went to the emergency room at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where, after many tests and exams, I was diagnosed with acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare, difficult-to-treat microbial infection. I had to stop going to school because I couldn’t keep my eye open. My senior year took a downhill turn. I became anxious, depressed, and unsure of the future. I was trying to decide which college I would attend in the fall, enjoy my last year of high school with my friends, and balance everything I loved to do. Due to the severity of my eye condition, I felt hopeless for the first time in my life.

After months of treatment, including countless eye drops, experimental light therapy at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, and lots of prayers, my doctors managed to cure my infection. It was an incredible relief when my eye wasn’t as painful and red as before. However, my vision was impaired. My doctors explained that although the infection was gone, the scar it had left behind would obstruct my vision unless I received a corneal transplant.

I was cleared for surgery in March 2019, and on March 22nd, my parents drove me to Miami to get my transplant at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute with tissue from Beauty of Sight. I was only 19, and I’ll never forget the crowded waiting room, the kind nurses, and the Nickelback was playing in the operating room. The surgery was successful. I woke up with a patch on my eye and felt loopy, but I was incredibly grateful. Over the next few weeks, my vision gradually returned, and every doctor I saw told me how “beautiful” my graft was. I reached 20/40 vision with correction, a huge improvement from the 20/400 vision. I started with.

In August 2019, with my eyes returned to perfect health, I could attend college in person and have a true dorm experience at the University of Florida. My time at UF was full of joy, spirit, and friendship. I joined a sorority and met so many wonderful girls. I worked at a sleepaway camp in Pennsylvania and a preschool for kids with special needs. I volunteered at local schools and churches. I studied psychology, sociology, and French. I was able to live a full and happy college experience despite my health history or even COVID.

I graduated from UF in May 2022, and that September, I moved to France to teach English. This was something I had dreamed of doing for years. I lived in southern France for eight months, teaching, traveling, and eating delicious food. My time abroad includes some of the best moments of my life thus far, and I am so grateful for all of it.

After returning from France in 2023, I moved to Virginia to be closer to family. I love the seasons here. Virginia has beautiful hiking and great wineries and restaurants. My career is going wonderfully! I'm working with preschool-aged children with autism. Seeing their joy is deeply rewarding. I plan to pursue a master’s degree in social work in the fall of 2024, and I hope to continue working with children with disabilities and their families.

I often think about my donor, who I learned from the eye bank, who was a 25-year-old man. I’m immensely grateful for the gift he and his family gave me when he became a cornea donor. My vision and eye health are better than I have ever hoped! It's still not perfect and not without challenges, but I’ve come so far since my transplant. “Thank you” will never be enough to my donor’s family for restoring my sight.

Nolan Bourgeois

In 2014, Nolan developed a rare, rapid-onset infection of his right cornea, leading to loss of vision and terrible pain. Nolan’s ophthalmologist, Dr. Guillermo Amescua of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, knew his patient would need a corneal transplant—if his eye could be saved.

Nolan endured months of antibiotic and antifungal treatment, hoping to stabilize his fragile cornea. A breakthrough came when Dr. Amescua performed corneal cross-linking on Nolan’s right cornea, relieving Nolan’s pain and allowing his eye to heal.

While waiting for his eye to stabilize enough to undergo a corneal transplant, Nolan created a Facebook support group for corneal transplant recipients. With over 3,000 members around the world, Corneal Transplant Support Group is a patient-oriented resource where anyone awaiting or recovering from a corneal transplant can seek support and understanding.

Several years after developing the infection that robbed him of the sight in his right eye, Nolan’s eye was healthy enough for transplant surgery. In 2018, Nolan received a corneal transplant at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute with tissue from Beauty of Sight. Nolan reported dramatically improved visual acuity after surgery. He continues to see Dr. Amescua for follow-up and has remained involved with the Corneal Transplant Support Group on Facebook.

If you wish to tell your story, please send us the correspondence to our offices as shown in the Contact Us page or send an email to efcaraza@med.miami.edu. We will not distribute or publish your story without your consent.



Writing to the Recipient of Your Loved One’s Cornea: Helpful Guidelines

COOPERATING PARTNERS