Boxer Wachler Vision at the Winter Olympics, Vancouver 2010! |
|
Steve Holcomb with Dr. Brian after bringing
home the Gold - first time in 62 years |
THE STEVE HOLCOMB STORY
All eyes are now on Olympic Gold Medalist U.S. Bobsled driver Steve Holcomb who made history February 27 by driving his ominous sled named the "Night Train" to glory, winning the first U.S. 4 man Olympic Gold in 62 years. However, it wasn't always this way for our patient Steve. Steve had Keratoconus, a devastating degenerative eye disease that weakened his cornea, the outer lens of the eye. In 2007, Steve's Keratoconus worsened to the point of making him legally blind and Steve was put on the cornea transplant list. Steve didn't want to put his teammates' safety at risk due to his failing eyesight. He officially retired from his beloved sport in June of 2007. Steve had been an athlete his whole life and was training and competing for over a decade to win an Olympic medal in Bobsled. At that time, his hope for an Olympic medal had vanished. But the U.S. Olympic Team, U.S. Bobsled Federation, his teammates, and coaches wouldn't let him stay retired. They knew there must be something out there to keep him in the sport and competing. They saw potential in Steve that could be realized if his vision could be restored.
 |
Steve having eyes examined by Dr. Brian
|
They researched alternatives to the invasive and painful cornea transplant surgery, the traditional treatment for Keratoconus. That's how they found me to treat his Keratoconus with a non-surgical treatment called C3-R®, a combination of vitamin applications and light to strengthen the cornea. Following that I placed an insertable contact lens to further improve his vision. Steve immediately came out of retirement with his new eyesight in early 2008. This enabled Steve and his "Night Train" to go on to win the World Bobsled Championship in 2009, the first the U.S. had done in 50 years. Steve and the Night Train became the top rated bobsled team in the world going into the Olympics. C3-R® is credited for saving Steve's eyesight.
 |
| Celebrating Steve's World Championship in 2009 (journalist Alan Abrahamson, right) |
Thanks to the Olympic Team and the U.S. Bobsled Team for taking a chance on the C3-R® procedure, which at that time 2 years ago was a relatively new treatment, Steve went from being legally blind and retired to having great vision and World Champion.
Then on February 11, I went to Vancouver for a press conference with Steve and the U.S. Bobsled team to discuss Steve's remarkable comeback (or "second chance" as Steve says) and do the final eye exam before sending him off to race. Below are links to a number of the articles after the press conference:
Bobsledding Holcomb a sight to behold
Steve Holcomb Story Raises Worldwide Awareness of Non-Surgical Keratoconus Treatment
After eye surgery, U.S. bobsled driver has visions of gold
'Night Train' Helps Bring Steven Holcomb, US Bobsledders to Light
The Remarkable Comeback of Steven Holcomb
| Watch videos about Steve Holcomb and C3-R Treatment. |
 |
|
|
| Steve and Dr. Brian just after Steve crossed the |
|
 |
| finish line winning the Gold - a US first in 62 years. |
|
On February 26 and 27, I was at the Olympic track with my family to support Steve and the "Night Train" in their quest for Gold. I routinely posted updates on our Facebook, Twitter, and blog feeds (see below). Moments after Steve crossed the finish line winning first place and the Gold, I had tears streaming down my face, hugging my wife and family. It was quite an emotional day for many
there as history was made on more than one level. We are all so happy for Steve and his team - they earned it!!
Steve's story will be an inspiration to many for years to come.
Warmest regards,
Brian S. Boxer Wachler, MD
|
