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Hoboken Man Shares How a Cornea Donor Saved His Sight
When Brian Mansfield was 15, a rare eye infection left him in so much pain that he spent months in his parents’ basement with the windows covered, unable to stand sunlight. A corneal transplant gave him his sight back.
Now 30 and living in Hoboken, Mansfield is sharing his story for Eye Donation Month in November to encourage people to sign up as donors.
“Knowing that someone else’s gift gave me the opportunity to see clearly and move forward with my life is something I will always be grateful for,” he said.
Mansfield, who grew up in New Providence, developed Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare infection that damaged his cornea, the clear front layer of the eye. After months of treatment, he received a transplant from a donor on Dec. 11, 2012.
He slowly got back to reading and spending time outside, and caught up on his junior year of high school with help from teachers and tutors. He went on to graduate from the University of Richmond and become a certified public accountant.
“Being able to step outside in the sun again was incredible,” Mansfield said.
He now volunteers with NJ Sharing Network, the nonprofit that coordinates organ and tissue donation in New Jersey, and runs in its yearly 5K. He said hearing from donor families has stayed with him, and that sharing his story has led many of his friends to register as donors.
Most people can be considered for eye donation regardless of age or health, according to Eversight, the eye bank that works with NJ Sharing Network. Residents can register through NJ Sharing Network’s website.
