Response to our Olympic press conference has been incredible!  With the media surrounding Steve’s success with the C3-R procedure transforming his 20/500 vision to 20/20, hundreds of people suffering from similar ailments are contacting us in hopes of restoring their lost sight.

C3-R, cornea collagen crosslinking with riboflavin, is not taking center podium as the first line treatment for those diagnosed with keratoconus.  Rather than waiting around for vision to slowly worsen, patients are doing their own research and quickly making the decision to undergo this non-invasive first line of defense treatment. 

Patients are reporting improved quality of vision after the C3-R treatment in their current contact lenses or glasses.  The reports of success with C3-R are exciting.  Especially the studies showing that patients are avoiding the need for cornea transplant after C3R has stabilized the vision.

For more information about keratoconus visit MayoClinic.com. 

Tags: KC, Keratoconus, Steve Holcomb
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Last Thursday I, Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, was in Vancouver for the Olympic press conference with the U.S. Bobsled team.  “Why would an eye surgeon be at an Olympic press conference?” is probably going through your mind.  I didn’t give up my day job to join the U.S. Bobsled team.  My patient Steve Holcomb and his story has become one of the most remarkable stories in this Olympics.  

Steve is the driver of the U.S. Bobsled team’s top sled nicknamed “The Night Train”.  Two years ago, he became legally blind due to a degenerative cornea condition called Keratoconus which just about forced him to retire and give up the sport.  The Olympic Committee and his team refused to let him give up.  That’s when they found me.  I had the honor of treating Steve’s condition with C3-R along with corrective lens implants.  C3-R saved Steve’s eyesight. 

 He then went on to win Gold in the World Bobsled Championship – a U.S. first in 50 years. 

 Hence the reason for being part of the press conference last week.  It was filled with TV crews and journalists. 

 Full details about Steve’s story can be read on EyeWorld.com  

In just 10 more days, Steve and the Night Train will be going for Gold!  I’ll be there personally rooting for Steve and I’ll be posting updates on this blog and tweeting at www.twitter.com/drboxerwachler

Tags: KC, Keratoconus, loss of vision, Olympic Bobsled, Olympic Bobsledder Keratoconus, Olympic Bobsledder Vision Loss, Olympic Bobsledder Vision Restored, Steve Holcomb, vision loss
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Bobsled driver Steve Holcomb was ont he verge of giving up his passion for the Bobsled sport due to his keratoconus. The U.S. Olympic Team, coaches, and team doctors virtually refused to let him quit.

They found alternative treatments to a cornea transplant that would allow Steve to return to the sport. Two years ago, Steve was sent to Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler for C3-R and 3 months later Visian ICL. 

Steve Holcomb’s story was captured by NBC Nightly News with Bryan Williams wich can be viewed on www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yYZct6G4dU.

What makes Steve’s story particularly moving was that he went from nearly giving up the sport to winning a World Gold Medal for the U.S. in Bobsled - which had not been done in the past 50 years.

With his Keratoocnus cured, Steve’s going into the Olympics in Vancouver with his team, the “Night Train” as the favorites.

I’ll be there rooting for Steve and his team.  We hope hisotry will again be made and we will all be cherring for Steve and the team!

You can learn more about keratoconus at the American Keratoconus Association.

Tags: KC, Keratoconus, loss of vision, vision loss
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