TURIN (ITALPRESS) – Two siblings, he 17 and she 24, suffering from a very rare hereditary genetic disease (Aniridia congenita), underwent an unprecedentedly delicate surgery on the same day to correct severe vision problems at Turin’s City of Health and Science, Molinette Hospital.
Their condition, also present in their mother and other family members, involved the total absence of the iris associated with severe ocular changes, including cataracts and progressive glaucoma, which seriously endangered their vision. To avoid irreversible worsening, Professor Michele Reibaldi (University Ophthalmology Director of the City of Health and Science of Turin), assisted by his team, decided to operate on both siblings on the same day, operating on both eyes.
This was a revolutionary triple intervention, involving the treatment of three different associated pathologies: glaucoma, which, despite medical therapy, continued to progress, severely threatening visual field loss, was treated with the implantation of an innovative minimally invasive device, which allows the reduction of eye pressure and the arrest of visual loss. Removal of the juvenile cataract with implantation of an artificial lens, and finally insertion of a state-of-the-art artificial iris.
In addition to recovering their eyesight, the surgery gave the two siblings an unhoped-for opportunity for them: to have irises for the first time and the ability to choose their own eye color. The brother chose a shade on green, while the sister chose a dark brown hue. A detail that is not only about aesthetics, but represents a symbolic moment of change in their lives.
After the surgery, both reported significant improvement in vision and a real chance of preserving their vision for the future. Now they can finally look at the world with new eyes.
“A state-of-the-art intervention that once again demonstrates the excellence of the professionalism and technologies of the City of Health and Science. This is why I maintain that our Company is a level three DEA and can compete with the best European healthcare realities,” comments Commissioner Thomas Schael. “I applaud the professionals at City of Health and Science for this very complex and risky surgery. To the two brothers a sincere wish, that they can now see life and the world with new eyes,” said Piedmont Region Health Councillor Federico Riboldi.
-Photo xn3/Italpress-.
(ITALPRESS).
