Louise Ehlers and Dr. Lowrey King hold the cover to the Department of Ophthal-mology’s 1997 holiday card.

For three years, watercolorist Louise Ehlers was visually impaired. Internationally renowned for the intricate details in her architectural and floral paintings, Ehlers could not reproduce the “craftsmanship and the gracefulness” of the Colonial Victorian and Antebellum Homes and gardens because of diabetic macular edema and uvitis.

Little more than a year ago, life changed for Ehlers. Thanks to Lowrey P. King, M.D., and the Storm Eye Institute, her eyesight was restored, enabling Ehlers to continue utilizing her talents. As an expression of her appreciation, Ehlers painted the cover of the Opthalmology Department 1997 holiday card.

Ten years ago Ehlers’ opthalmologist diagnosed her condition as diabetic retinopathy, or the malfunctioning of blood vessels in the retina. Within those 10 years, her condition progressively worsened and she developed diabetic macular edema and uvitis, hindering her ability to see fine details.

Fortunately, her problems were caught early, preventing further vision loss. A series of laser treatments was used to correct Ehlers vision problems. Three treatments, two in the right eye and one in the left, were needed to stabilize her retinopathy. Her uvitis was treated with medications.

Ehlers is “very pleased” with the work King and the Storm Eye Institute has done for her. Similarly, the institute is very appreciative for her contribution. “We are privelged to have one of our patients who benefited from our care design our 1997 holiday card.” said Ellen Hamrick, director of developmemt for the Eye Institute.

Ehlers replied, “ Without the Storm Eye Institute, I would not have been able to do this.” Ehlers paintings can be seen at the Jade Easel Gallery on Spring Street in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, S.C., Southport and Wilmington, N.C.

Her artwork is in private and corporate collections throughout the United States, Mexico and England.