JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (April 2, 2014) -- Brooke Army Medical Center Optometry offers a special optical treatment for patients who suffer from severe complex corneal disease.
In collaboration with Boston Foundation for Sight, an organization that has pioneered the device, BAMC Prosthetic Replacement of Ocular Surface Ecosystem, PROSE, clinic has helped hundreds of patients regain their quality of life, relieving chronic dry eyes, irritation, severe pain and blurry vision.
PROSE, which resembles an oversized contact lens, fits under the eyelid, creating a reservoir of fluid that continuously bathes the eye keeping the eye lubricated and protected.
The service was established in 2008 by Army Col. Jeff Cleland, United States Army Institute of Surgical Research Ocular Trauma officer in charge, and is currently under the direction of Army Lt. Col. Evelyn Reyes-Cabrera, BAMC Optometry Education Programs director and PROSE clinical fellow. They are the only two military service members of the 15 trained PROSE clinical fellows in the world who are able to custom fit the PROSE device to the patient. Additionally, BAMC is one of only 12 BostonSight Network Clinics in the United States.
Reyes recalled the first time she saw the importance of the device and how it dramatically enables patients to regain their life.
"I remember a few years ago, BAMC had an emergency," she said. "A wounded warrior was medically evacuated from Landstuhl, Germany and had sustained burn injuries to approximately 80 percent of his body. In order to save his eyes, we immediately fitted him with a PROSE device to protect and shield his eyes from further damage. I couldn't believe it -- the treatment really made a difference," she said. "This warrior still wears his PROSE device and is now a successful full-time comedian who performs all over the world."
However, the device is not for everyone. Upon a referral from a health care provider, a thorough eye evaluation is performed to ensure it is the right diagnosis for the patient.
"For many, PROSE device is the last stop for our patients; however, before we can custom fit the device, we evaluate all options before pursuing the next process," said Reyes. "If the PROSE device is not the right choice for the patient, we will explore other options to help our patients."
Army retiree Lewis Otero-Aquino developed a graft-versus-host disease, GVHD, a complication following allogeneic tissue transplant, shortly after his bone marrow transplant in 1998. Due to the disease, his ocular surface was adversely affected causing severe sensitivity to light, chronic dry eyes and excessive eye pain.
After many years of failed attempts to relieve his symptoms, doctors from BAMC's oncology and optometry staff referred him to the PROSE clinic, where he was evaluated as a potential PROSE candidate.
"His eyes were constantly burning and irritated," his wife Carmen said. "Sometimes he would just sit for hours with his eyes closed to lessen his pain. Just yesterday, he tried on the device for one hour and instantly for the first time in a long time, I saw a sign of relief on his face. He couldn't wait to wear them again today," she said, referring to Lewis' first treatment.
"Many patients we see daily suffer from severe dry eye syndrome due to potential side effects of their medications or their condition," said Reyes. "With this device, the treatment offers instant relief to the patient because the device is filled with saline at the time of the application creating a reservoir that continuously bathes the eye -- keeping the eyes lubricated and protected."
"A transplant saved my life, but the PROSE lenses afforded me the opportunity to enjoy my life again," Lewis said as he smiled.
Recently retired Army Col. Cheryl Carson had similar complications after her acoustic neuroma surgery in 1992. Since her surgery, she suffers from Lagophthalmos, the inability to close her left eyelid completely, leaving the eye irritated, dry and sensitive. After years of unsuccessful treatments, including a gold plate procedure in which weight is introduced to the eyelid helping it to close; she was referred to the PROSE clinic.
"I went in for my follow-up visit with my optometry doctor," she said. "I told her the gold plate was not working and my eye was constantly dry and irritated. She listened and referred me to the PROSE clinic.
"I've had this (PROSE device) for about a year now and I love it. The device keeps my eye lubricated and protected so I don't have to keep my eye moist all day and night or worry about losing the eye drop bottles -- the PROSE treatment gave me my life back and gave me relief I have not had for years."
Reyes explained that the main goal of the (PROSE) treatment is not just to improve patients' vision acuity, "but to improve their quality of life so they can go back to work -- go back to their life -- shop for groceries, drive around, spend time with their kids and not be miserable or be in constant pain."
"The device is not just about seeing -- it's about how it improves the quality of life for our patients. For me, that is very important," Reyes added.
For more information about the PROSE program, call 210-916-1717 or visit http://www.bostonsight.org/
Social Sharing