Clinical Trials > Testimonials

"You could search the world over and never find a finer doctor or crew." - Max Meek

"Three times better results than I expected. Great staff. I'm thrilled." - Virginia Suggett

"...very sufficient in explaining everything to me...polite and very kind...compassionate and very helpful" - Lynda Wood

"I was very pleased with the doctor and his concern for my eyes. He didn't do surgery until absolutely necessary." - Phyllis Donlon

"I appreciate so much that Dr. Radtke was concerned enough about my eyes and we had never met....he put me at ease and told me to come to Louisville and he'd check me. The staff couldn't be nicer! Thanks so much!" - Barbara Bridges

"I was very, very pleased with Dr. Radtke. He's very understanding. I'm so glad my friend recommended him." - Wilma Vail

Interview
Elizabeth Bryant received an experimental retinal transplant performed by Dr. Norman Radtke. She has a condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which has rendered Ms. Bryant virtually blind and has afflicted several of her family members, including her daughter. Her preoperative visual acuity was 20/800. At her last examination, she was able to see the 20/260 line.

Ms. Bryant was gracious enough to share a little of her transplant experience with us.

What prompted you to volunteer for an experimental retinal transplantation?

Ms. Bryant: "I was losing my eyesight and wanted so badly to see in order to be independent and to function. I figured I didn't have anything to lose. I have a daughter with the same eye disease and two brothers and one sister with it. My mother also was totally blind with it. If there was anything I could do to help my family, I wanted to do it."

What are you seeing now that you weren't able to see before?

"At seven years after surgery I can see much better in my left operated eye than the right unoperated eye. I can see the TV better now. I can see a little better downward than I was seeing before and see clearer out of the side vision. I do not see the cloudy haze anymore. I am looking forward to seeing even more."

What activities are you able to do now that you could not before?

"I am able to do my work a little better than before. I am able to do some sewing now that I wasn't able to do before. It depends on the lighting, but sometimes I can thread a needle. I hadn't been able to do that. I am getting to be able to write checks to pay my bills."

Was the transplant a positive experience?

"Yes. It was worth a little bit of trouble. I am willing to do it again if I lose the sight in my right eye."

Does Dr. Radtke make you feel comfortable?

"Yes. I feel very comfortable with him, and I feel like I can ask him anything."

What would you tell a potential retinal transplant candidate?

"It is all worth it. I will tell them everything. It is not short term; it is long and drawn out. Just remember it is experimental. Don't get your hopes up. I am not sorry I had it done. If I had it to do over, I would do it again. It's given me a lot of hope. My family feels the same way I do. They have stood behind me."

Anything else you would like to share about your retinal transplant experience?

"Even if I don't get any better, I am able to function and I have some independence. It terrifies me to lose my eyesight. That's why I wanted to try it and be independent. I wanted to regain some of my eyesight and be independent. I feel like I am going to be blessed with it. I really do."