In an 8,000-mile journey of hope, a blind young man from Africa traveled to Jacksonville recently for a transformative, sight-restoring surgery with world-renowned eye surgeon, Dr. Arun Gulani.
After the life-changing procedure, Zola not only gained his vision but also a new passion for the Jacksonville Jaguars. His family, equally thrilled, bought Jaguars T-shirts — especially No. 16 Trevor Lawrence — and made plans to enjoy the First Coast’s sights and entertainment.
“This has to be a miracle!” Zola exclaimed. “I want to stay back and enjoy Jacksonville with my new vision.”
Zola’s story highlights the transformative power of medical innovation and the hope it brings.
Zola joined more than 20 patients from around the world who traveled to Gulani Vision Institute recently seeking pioneering techniques, including patented LaZrPlastique and Corneoplastique techniques.
That these procedures attract patients internationally contributes to a phenomenon known as medical tourism. In fact, the institute has consulted patients from more than 102 countries.
Keratoconus, the condition that afflicted Zola, can be detected in one of every 200 patients in the United States. The incidence is even higher worldwide, leaving patients in their youth blinded and dependent. The predominant treatment for this condition is a debilitating and invasive corneal transplant, which can be expensive. The alternative would be uncomfortable hard contact lenses.
Gulani, with his innovative surgical concepts and trail-blazing technologies, has revolutionized the treatment for this condition. His patented innovative no-cut lasik (LaZrPlastique), no-pain cataract surgery (LenzOplastique) and no-transplant Corneoplastique techniques can safely and painlessly, without any injections or needles, grant these patients to excellent vision within minutes despite years or even decades of suffering.
Patients with extreme complications of keratoconus (where the cornea becomes such high astigmatism that it becomes cone shaped instead of having a normal dome shape) often live a life of disability and dependence unless given effective medical attention.
