The gift of sight, thanks to generous donors
Mary Flett’s brow is furrowed. Leaning against her kitchen bench, the 71-year-old works fondant through gloved fingers, folding and pressing the icing to resemble feathers.
Cake decoration requires patience, dexterity and a keen eye. For years, Flett’s creations have been central to family birthdays and weddings – and the intricate work would be impossible were it not for the five cornea transplants she has undergone to save her sight.
The Ministry estimates almost half of all deaths would fit the medical criteria for eye tissue donation, but experts say many people are unaware it’s even an option.
Flett, from Auckland, had severe keratoconus, which causes the cornea to thin and become coneshaped.
The cornea – the thin, clear outer layer of the eye – is what helps the eye focus.
By the time Flett was teenager, she could barely see.
She wore contact lenses, but her sight continued to deteriorate and she had to give up work as a nurse and midwife.
When she was in her 30s, Flett had her first double-corneal transplant, in London, but back in New Zealand her left eye graft was failing and she needed another transplant.
In 2010 the left graft went downhill again, and Flett underwent transplant number four.
Three years ago, some 30 years after the initial transplant, doctors replaced the graft in Flett’s right eye.
Now with perfect sight, life is ‘‘wonderful’’.
‘‘My life has changed. Things went back to normal. I could look after my mother, I can drive, I can bake and sew.’’
She can watch her 11 grandchildren of Health
agrow up, and loves gardening.
To pay it forward, Flett cooks and bakes for others, and volunteers to help elderly people.
She is ‘‘very, very grateful’’ to donors.
More than 400 donor corneas are required in New Zealand annually, Louise Moffatt, New Zealand National Eye Bank manager said. All donated eye tissue is brought to the Eye Bank, at the University of Auckland, to be stored, evaluated and sent for transplants.
In a typical week there might be eight corneal transplants around the country. Like any organ or tissue, cornea donation is irregular, and there is a ‘‘continuing and all-the-time need’’ for transplants, Moffatt said.
Demand has increased considerably in the past decade. Most recipients have degenerative eye conditions where transplant might be their last option.
More donors are needed. Very few health conditions exclude it – you can donate until about 85, if you wear glasses, have diabetes or some cancers.
The Eye Bank is often not advised prospective donors have died, which is why it’s important for people to know their relatives’ wishes, Moffatt said.
‘‘My life has changed. I could look after my mother, I can drive, I can bake and sew.’’ Mary Flett