Three years ago,I shook hands with Steve Holcomb who was forced to retire as the top U.S. Olympic bobsled driver due to becoming legally blind from a degenerative eye disease known as Keratoconus where the cornea (outer lens) herniates out.  Today, February 27,2010 at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Steve walked away with a Gold medal, the first for the U.S. in bobsled in 62 years (last time that happened was when Harry Truman was president!)  An incredible, miracle comeback of all comebacks.

Learn more about Steve’s story in this article on EyeWorld.com

Tags: Keratoconus, Olympic Bobsled, Steve Holcomb
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It has been an immensely rewarding to have been a part of the Olympic experience.  I am so happy to have helped an individual with as much talent and honor as Steve.   It is amazing to think that only a year ago, he was legally blind and facing an early retirement from his bobsled career.  Luckily, after undergoing the C3-R procedure his vision is clearer than ever, and he’s ready to win Olympic gold!

Only two more days until Steve will take the track towards Olympic Gold on February 25th.  Tonight I am packing my bags to head up to Vancouver on Wednesday.

To hear more about Steve’s story visit read an article on EyeWorld.com

Tags: Keratoconus, Olympic Bobsledder Keratoconus, Olympic Bobsledder Vision Loss, Olympic Bobsledder Vision Restored, Steve Holcomb
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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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This year in January Steve Holcomb had undergone a vision correction treatment that restored is vision. With his uncanny talent in bobsledding few knew of the troubles Steve suffered out there on the track. However his sight had become such a problem the extraordinarily talented athlete thought of throwing in the towel and retiring. In one last effort to help himself a few organizations pitched in an assisted the athlete in getting the experimental procedures done. His response to the procedures?

Quote from USA Today:

“I could instantly see clearly. It’s an amazing feeling”

- Says a pleased Steve Holcomb

Now with the 2010 Olympic Games coming up the athlete is back and stronger than ever. Holcomb entered the Bobsled World Championships on Friday in New York. His vision is almost perfect a far cry from his vision early last year at 20/1000 which for those of you that don’t know is quite poor -noted by doctors as profoundly poor in fact.

In further quotes Steve Holcomb states:

“Its life in high-definition”

His team was not aware of how bad Holcomb’s vision was until recently but says that he worked more off instinct than vision anyway. And Steve is more confident and amped about his vision than ever, no longer worrying about the constant hassle of his contacts and view life in a whole new way…as for the 2010 Olympics will just have to wait and see!

Read the USA Today Article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/vancouver/sliding/2010-01-27-holcomb-vision_N.htm

Tags: Keratoconus, Steve Holcomb
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