More than 30 years after Rita’s first procedure,
penetrating keratoplasty, or full-thickness
corneal transplant, continues to be the only
treatment to restore sight that has been
compromised by lattice corneal dystrophy.
Today, with the elimination of the transplant
waiting list and advances in donation, tissue
preparation and transplantation, the procedure
and its results have improved, Dr. Constad said.
He also said that while lattice corneal
dystrophy is considered a rare condition, most
ophthalmologists will see it in their practice.
The genetic condition, which Rita said she
inherited from her father, involves deposits
of a material called amyloid in the cornea.
The deposits accumulate, eventually causing
a lattice-like, or lacy appearance.
When the deposits reach the center of the
eye and are heavy enough to affect vision,
transplant becomes necessary. Like most
patients with lattice corneal dystrophy, Rita
experienced a recurrence and has needed
additional transplants. But she has no
complaints. The procedure, she said, is
simple and painless, and most importantly,
it allows her to see.
Next to the birth of her own two sons, Rita said
her transplants have been the greatest miracles
of her life. They allowed her to continue
working, to see the faces of her grandchildren
and great-grandchildren, and to continue
marveling over those leaves on the trees.
“Thank God for Dr. Constad, the
donor families, and the miracle
this is able to provide.”
A lifetime commitment
Dr. William Constad (pictured left) has been a board certified
ophthalmologist for more than 30 years, saving and restoring
peoples’ sight through cornea, refractive and advanced
anterior segment surgery.
Listed among New York Metro Area’s Top Doctors every year
since 1999, Dr. Constad also remains committed to preparing
the next generation of eye care professionals as clinical
professor at Rutgers Medical School.
Dr. Constad is an active member of the eye banking community.
He serves as a Board Director and Medical Director for Eversight
New Jersey, as well as a Board Director for Eversight. In 2012,
he was honored by Eversight New Jersey with its “Man of
Vision” award, and in 2014, received the Founders’ Award from
the Eversight Board.
Dr. William Constad with Dr. Marco Zarbin,
Chair of the Institute of Ophthalmology
and Visual Sciences at Rutgers –
New Jersey Medical School.
Spring 2016 | V I S I O N | Page 5