Mr. Bruning & Dr. Witherspoon IDO Laser Cerclage - a new laser technique to prevent retinal detachment in high risk eyes – American Society of Retina Specialists, 2002. Fluidic Internal Limiting Membrane Separation – to remove scar tissue from the center of vision (Best of Show Video American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2003).		Walter Bruning No one could accuse Oceanside, California, resident Walter Bruning of not living life to the fullest. Prior to retirement, he was a chemist, professor, business executive, and consultant. Even after retirement, he wasn’t ready to slow down—he began a new career as an artist and an art teacher as well. What makes Bruning’s story even more impressive is that he has struggled with vision impairment almost his entire life, starting with glasses to correct severe myopia (nearsightedness) at the age of seven. Nonetheless, corrective lenses had been able to offer him nearly 20/20 vision for much of his life—in fact; he was a championship skeet shooter for years, even with his very thick glasses. Beginning in 1993, Bruning experienced a series of retinal detachments. Emergency surgery to his right eye was required to repair a detachment. In addition, he had numerous pinpoint holes in the retina of his left eye which were repaired using laser/cryotherapy techniques. He later developed large pieces of floating tissue in each eye, which were certainly a distraction, particularly when painting, but were not incapacitating. Despite these hurdles, Bruning managed to continue to live his life at the rapid pace to which he was accustomed. Then, in 1999, an epimacular membrane was discovered in his left eye; in 2002, the same condition was discovered in the right eye. These membranes caused progressive visual acuity loss, and threatened to put a stop to his full and active life. When he sought the help of Dr. C. Douglas Witherspoon at Retina Specialists of Alabama (RSA), whose clinical research is conducted through the Helen Keller Foundation, in January of 2004, Bruning’s myopia had become difficult to correct with glasses, and he had developed double vision, making it difficult for him to draw and paint. The waxing and waning of vision in his left eye due to the epimacular membrane had also effectively put a stop to his sport shooting. To make matters worse, cataracts had begun to develop in both eyes. He could still see well enough to work and drive, but things were going downhill fast. With guidance from Dr. Witherspoon, Bruning undertook an extensive treatment plan that involved vitreoretinal surgery, cataract surgery, and preventive treatment for retinal detachment. Since the procedures, life has never been better for Bruning. “I have never had sight this good in my life--I can see nearly 20/20 uncorrected with each eye, the double vision is about half of what it was, and my reading and distance vision problems are gone,” he says. “Because of the lens implants my myopia is minimized, and I know the retina of each eye is stable because of the laser sealing done by Dr. Witherspoon after each membrane was removed. I am painting and teaching a full schedule again and hope to go bird hunting in October in Minnesota with some good friends.” Bruning also credits his recovery to the work of the Helen Keller Foundation: “I'm sure I benefited from research done through the Foundation.” In fact, he has. Helen Keller Foundation researchers were honored with the Best of Show Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2001 and again in 2003 for the techniques used to remove scar tissue from Mr. Bruning’s macula (center of vision) in each eye. And his retina, which otherwise would have been at high risk for redetachment, was secured in each eye by laser techniques developed by the Foundation.