An eye update from Austin's Mom:
As posted previously, Austin recently visited his ophthalmologist to discuss the persistent halos he's been experiencing. During his last appointment in October 2024, the doctor advised him to wear his glasses more consistently. Austin has been following that advice, wearing his glasses all day, every day, for the past eight months. Despite this, as of June 2025, he continues to see halos.
To re-iterate the last post, during the June 2025 visit, the doctor suggested that a new pair of glasses might help. She also mentioned that Austin has scars on both eyes. She previously noted a scar on his right eye resulting from a severe Recurring Corneal Tear he experienced last June 2024. I mentioned to her that I believed he had only one scar, but she said he had two scars last year. I'm unsure why there would be a scar on his left eye unless it was from a prior or recent corneal tear we are unaware of. Perhaps the dystrophy itself can cause the scarring without the trauma of a tear. I don't know.
Interestingly, the left eye, which has the worse halo, is the one with the the least trauma. However, the new glasses haven't made much difference in reducing the halos, which continue to significantly impact his vision.
Austin isn't expecting a cure for the halos. Based on the research for the recent blog post about halos, there is currently no cure. He simply wants to be heard and to have his experience documented, as this is a challenge that will affect him for the rest of his life.
The Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy (EBMD) is a common cause of these halos. It’s possible that the scars resulting from the Recurring Corneal Erosion (RCE) he experienced last summer are also contributing to the issue; however, his ophthalmologist seems confident that these scars shouldn’t interfere with his vision. As someone who sees Austin daily, I disagree—something is definitely affecting his sight. My research has revealed that corneal scars as well as EBMD can impair vision by blocking or distorting light as it enters the eye.
Thankfully, several measures have helped prevent further RCE episodes. Austin takes 1000 mg of vitamin C daily, uses a humidifier filled with distilled water each night, applies a heated mask twice daily to promote tear production, uses two prescription preservative-free cycloSPORINE eyedrops daily, and applies two OTC Biotrue preservative-free lubricant drops daily (more frequently when his eyes feel dry). These routines have been effective in preventing new erosions.
However, because of the fragile nature of EBMD, even minor irritants—such as a foreign object, a gust of wind, or sweat—can cause enough irritation or drying to tear the cornea. Austin needs to be very cautious to protect his eyes. He must avoid sitting near fans, being outdoors on windy days, or letting sweat get into his eyes. Rubbing his eyes is also strictly off-limits, which makes keeping his eyes moist and free of foreign objects essential.
Dr. Monica mentioned that she has never seen anyone as young as Austin with this condition. Research indicates that most people experience their first symptoms after age 40, yet Austin was only 25 when his symptoms began and 27 when they worsened significantly.
So, although his eye chart test shows that Austin has decent visual acuity, his halos tell a different story. During a flare-up last year, he was essentially legally blind—unable to read the chart at all with his right eye. During those episodes, his vision was so impaired that he could only open his eyes partially, as any light was unbearable. His right eye was the focus of most of his eye care visits, but his left eye also experienced blurriness and mild discomfort, even though there was no corneal tear to that eye at that time.
Due to his condition, Austin can't drive, and everyday activities are tedious. He’s constantly trying to see "around" the halos, searching for a way to function despite the visual disturbances. So, we ask for your prayers as this continues to play out in his life.
More information about EBMD can be found at the following links:
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