Return to Main Menu

Technology, surgery gives sight to toddler by Cindy Abole Public Relations Andrew Bryan's eyes have something special to behold. Even following the  trail of a colorful harlequin tusk fish gliding around an aquarium filled with artificial coral, sea plants and lace rock is one of this two-year-old's latest delights. Just a couple of years ago, Andrew’s world was dark and his condition desperate. But new technology and surgical advances have recently brought hope to many diagnosed with childhood cataracts. Andrew spies fish in the Children's Hospital Lobby. Andrew was born blind with severely malformed eyes. Experts told his parents that their son would have little to no chance for sight.  The Bryans' search for a miracle led them from their home outside Spartanburg to Charleston and pediatric ophthalmologist and Storm Eye Institute (SEI) chairman Ed Wilson, M.D. Wilson confirmed that Andrew suffered from cataract blindness with anterior segment dygenesis and micro-ophthalmia. A few weeks later, Wilson performed cataract and pupil surgery on Andrew’s left eye. Two weeks later, he completed cataract surgery and reconstruction for the right eye. A third surgery was conducted to straighten both eyes to promote continued eye growth.   “Andrew's surgery was especially challenging because his eyes were small and poorly formed,” said Wilson. “He had no pupil in either eye and had dense white cataracts. All the eye layers were abnormal. We also knew that glaucoma would likely occur.” Dad Phil Bryan vividly remembers the first moments when they discovered their then 10-month old son could see. Andrew and his parents were recovering from the eye surgery in a local hotel.  “I was just talking to Andrew in my usual way,” Phil Bryan said. “Suddenly, I noticed that his eyes were suddenly focusing on me. He was looking directly at me for the first time in his life. From that moment I wondered what he could see. It was an incredible moment for all of us.” Today, Andrew delights at the world around him -  running, laughing and playing with older siblings, Phillip, age 11, and sister, Alysson, age 6, and other family. Andrew has contact lenses in both eyes.  Intraocular lenses will be implanted when his eyes are slightly more developed. Although one eye is larger than the other, his vision is good. He is currently being treated for glaucoma, a condition usually associated with poor eye development that causes fluid pressure inside the eye to dangerously rise. Andrew is currently using eye drops to manage it. But Wilson and other experts agree that Andrew will have the chance to play and live like other healthy children as he grows older.  Just recently, the Bryans were invited to speak to the SEI/Lion’s Club quarterly meeting on March 13. The event allowed Cindy Bryan to share Andrew's and the family’s experience and care while at SEI. “We’re blessed that Andrew has sight,” said Cindy Bryan. “This has been a wonderful opportunity for us to experience the amazing care at MUSC. SEI has always treated us like family. God blessed us with finding a good physician and many miracles. Now we know the reason why Andrew has brought a special joy to our lives.”