Prayer, Keys & Perfect Vision

Jewish Journal | Ilana Angel


I have worn glasses since I was five and have such severe Keratoconus I had both of my corneas transplanted. Keratoconus is an eye disease that affects the structure of the cornea. The cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye. The shape of the cornea slowly changes from the normal round shape to a cone shape, which causes vision problems.

I wear contact lenses most of the time, but do occasionally use glasses, which are truly horrible. They are super thick, change how my eyes look, and are too embarrassing to wear any place other than in the privacy of my own home, and only when I am alone. If I could change one thing about myself, it would be my vision. I’d love to be able to see better.

I have always been grateful for sight. It has gotten worse as I’ve gotten older, and while my new corneas have been a blessing, my eyesight is deteriorating and that makes me see things a little differently, both literally and figuratively. I have spent most of my life worried that I will one day lose my vision, so I take everything in and try to memorize it.

Sidebar: One of my corneas came from an 18 year old boy who died in a car accident, and the other from a 22 year old boy who was shot in a robbery. I am able to see because of the generosity of these young men and their families. I am an organ donor and have kept these two boys in my prayers since the day they saved my sight.
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{Register to be an organ,eye and tissue donor. To learn how, www.donatelife.net or www.organdonor.gov}

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