In the blink of an eye…

MAXINE Griffin (29) has always lived an active lifestyle and was passionate about her sales career.

But in November last year this lifestyle quickly changed after she developed a seemingly innocent blood-shot right eye.

Brushing it off as a sinus infection or allergy, Maxine was prescribed medication and went on her way.

When the pain became more severe, antibiotics and anaesthetic eye drops became part of her daily routine.

‘I visited a specialist and was told that the problem was potentially autoimmune – which meant that something in my blood was attacking my own eye,’ said Maxine, who was initially diagnosed with acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare waterborne parasite.

Six weeks later, and unable to cope with the constant pain, Maxine was admitted into Life Empangeni Private Hospital for her first procedure, after which she was referred to Parklands Hospital in Durban where she was diagnosed with a very rare Moorens Corneal ulcer.

Affecting only 0.03% of the population, Dr Ballim agreed to take on the difficult ocular disease.

Cornea transplant

Following weeks of medication, bi-weekly blood tests and cornea scrapes, the Moorens Corneal ulcer continued to thrive and in early January, Dr Ballim made the call for a cornea transplant.

A last minute donation from a Durban-based organ donor resulted in a successful transplant – but just a few weeks later the new cornea began rejecting.

The affected cornea was removed, cleaned, and a scleral patch made from the first donor’s stem cells was placed over it, followed by an amniotic membrane, from another donor.

‘Basically, together the two layers keep the cornea safe and allow it to be accepted by the body,’ she said.

For better or worse

Today, Maxine remains positive and was last week given the all-clear to return to work – six months into her journey – but is still faced with major daily challenges.

‘I haven’t been able to drive or work until this month, which has been frustrating, but I have learned so much about the value of organ donation, and am extremely grateful for my health.’

Although the recovery journey has only just begun, Maxine is determined to use her story to spread awareness about organ donation.

‘Mrs Griffin is still fighting this disease, and the end result is still unknown, but without these donors I suspect she would have already lost her eye,’ said Dr Ballim.

‘This experience has humbled me, and I am ready to travel the road to recovery,’ said Maxine.