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?

"I can see the TV better now. I can see a little better downward than I was seeing before and can 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."