11/13/2025
Grabbing for a toy may look like normal infant behavior, but for Silas, this moment meant that he could finally see. Silas was born in December 2023 with a very rare eye condition that causes the cornea to become opaque rather than clear, and his mother, Ellie, was told he would be blind. After getting a second opinion, cornea experts at OSHU Casey Eye Institute suggested cornea transplants could help restore sight to both eyes and he had his first procedure in March of 2024. Because Silas’ condition was so rare, they couldn’t be certain the treatment would work – until Silas reached out for the toy. At almost 2 years old, he has had three corneal transplant surgeries. The older Silas gets, the fewer transplants he’ll need. Ellie is hopeful the next one will be able to last up to five years, and Silas’ care team is hopeful he’ll go on to have a relatively clear vision with little to no issues.
November is Eye Donation Month! All month long, we will help raise awareness about cornea donation and transplantation, honor the gift of sight given by donors and their families, and celebrate cornea transplant recipients who are now able to live their lives to the fullest. Join us in spreading the word and helping to give the gift of sight! 💙💚
