Stargardt Disease Success Story: Cornelle's Vision Restoration Journey

Patient Profile & Background

Diagnosed Condition: Cornelle was diagnosed with a Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy, a genetic eye disorder that primarily affects the retina, leading to progressive vision loss which leads to a gradual loss of central vision, causing difficulty with fine details, reading, and facial recognition. Common symptoms include blurred vision, light sensitivity, delayed adaptation to low light, muted color perception, and sometimes distorted or wavy vision. As the disease progresses, central blind spots may develop, impacting key visual tasks needed for daily life.

Situation

Cornelle Leach, a South African bride-to-be who was severely visually impaired due to Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy, received a life-changing gift ahead of her wedding: the chance to regain her sight. The treatment succeeded, allowing her to see her fiancé for the first time. This heartwarming story highlights community support and the power of hope.

For most brides, seeing their future spouse on their wedding day is something taken for granted. But for Cornelle Leach, diagnosed with Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy, her vision had deteriorated to the point where she had never actually seen her fiancé, Russell. By the age of 24, Cornelle was centrally blind—her 0% central vision left her unable to see faces, details, or colors.

In her search for options, Cornelle and her family discovered Fedorov Restore Vision Therapy in Berlin, which offered a possible treatment for her condition. Although the therapy wasn't a cure for Stargardt's disease, it offered hope for improving her central vision by targeting and enhancing the functionality of her remaining retinal cells.

Stargardt's disease is a form of cone dystrophy, primarily affecting central vision and making tasks like reading, recognizing faces, and seeing fine details increasingly difficult. Cornelle's daily life had been deeply impacted, and she relied heavily on others for assistance. When her fiancé's family learned about Fedorov Vision Therapy, they saw an opportunity that could potentially stabilize or even restore some of her lost vision.

Understanding Fedorov Therapy for Stargardt Disease

Fedorov Restoration Therapy focuses on activating the preserved retinal cells, specifically the cones, through electrical stimulation. By enhancing the function of these remaining cells, the therapy aims to improve visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and central vision. Her story quickly spread across South Africa, with over 1,100 donors supporting her cause.

Initial Results & Clinical Observations

By August 2024, Cornelle was on her way to Berlin to undergo Fedorov Restoration Therapy. Cornelle completed her first round of therapy in September 2024. Though the therapy's long-term effects will take several months to fully assess, she has already experienced initial improvements in her central vision.

Documented Improvements

• ✓ Enhanced central vision clarity
• ✓ Improved color perception
• ✓ Increased active retinal cell activity

The early response has included an increase in the number of active retinal cells, which has led to improved clarity and color perception. These initial changes are promising and suggest that Cornelle may be a responder to the therapy.

Treatment & Monitoring

While these improvements are encouraging, the full impact of the therapy won't be clear for several months. Regular follow-ups will help monitor how her vision progresses over time. It's important to understand that Fedorov Restoration Therapy is not a cure for Stargardt's disease or cone dystrophy. The therapy works by stimulating and enhancing the performance of preserved retinal cells—in Cornelle's case, the cones responsible for central vision.

By improving their function, the treatment aims to provide better vision clarity, contrast sensitivity, and overall visual function, though the extent of these improvements varies from patient to patient. For many patients, like Cornelle, the therapy's goal is to slow down further deterioration and improve existing vision, even if only modestly.

While Cornelle's early results are promising, it's important to remain cautious as her vision is monitored over the next few months. Long-term outcomes will be assessed through follow-up examinations to determine how much improvement can be sustained and whether additional treatments will be necessary.

Impression

"The early signs are positive. I've noticed small but significant changes. It's too early to say how much my vision will improve in the long run, but the fact that these early changes are happening is a good sign. It's encouraging to know there's potential for further improvement, but I understand that the process will take time." Cornelle Leach