From: "Melvin Lumbardy" 
Subject: Re: Parade article: Why did this child go blind?
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your very interesting reply. I think I did read where Pres 
Maurer had ROP. It seems there are more people having ROP than I had 
known. This is a great relief to me when I can read about others who 
have little or no useful vision and are doing just fine. And many are 
very sucessful in business as well.
Apparantely, after I was born the disease went into regression as you 
explained only to show up in later years of my life. I also developed 
cataracts and have periods of increased ocular pressure. I also have 
what you have described, the technical term my Dr calls it is 
"sympathetic opthalmia" in which your eyes essentially become 
allergic to themselves. I have  also had iritis. The type of 
artificial eye that I have now is made out of sea coral. The company 
who made this artificial eye have donated their services and products to at 
least 
11 Oklahoma City bomb victims who lost one  or 2 eyes. It is such a 
relief to be rid of the eye pain.
I have heard from several listers who also have ROp and have enjoyed 
talking with them by e-mail. I am glad your eye feels better now.   
Have you heard that 10 hospitals around the country are continuing a 
project in which a silicon inplant "computer chip" may soon be implanted 
in humans eyes. Up until now they were testing them on rabbits. The 
study started I believe at the Massachusetts eye and Ear Infirmary. I 
wonder if it will ever be of use. Who knows ?    
Thanks again for the great email and information.
Deb Lumbardy
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