Wanted Eye Specialist - Anywhere in the world

Ally · Post by **Ally** » 30 Jul 2007, 18:21

We have a boxer (Fundo Mhura) at our club in Edinurgh, Scotland who is a real prospect. He won a bronze medal at last years European championships and is currently training with Great Britain’s Olympic squad. He has a condition which causes his eyelashes to turn inwards when he is hit. Doctors are now telling him that this is threatening his sight and that he should give up boxing. This is devastating news for one so talented. If we cannot find a solution to this he will have no choice but to give up the sport. If there is anyone out there who has encountered this before and has a solution or knows a specialist who might be able to help please let me know.

jtyson · Post by **jtyson** » 30 Jul 2007, 22:26

i would just cut my eye lashes... they dont really serve a purpose do they??

Ally · Post by **Ally** » 01 Aug 2007, 08:01

Fundo has a genetic eye condition which has caused erosion of his cornea. This has been exacerbated by boxing. The condition will clear up on its own, if his cornea is not irritated, but this would mean either giving up his Olympic ambitions or risking permanent blindness. He has been offered an operation in the UK but this also apparently carries a 50% risk of blindness. We may have to accept that he will have to give up boxing until this clears up but this would be a tremendous set back.

What I am hoping is that in the wider boxing community there may be someone who has had similar problems in the past who can give some advice. It is also possible that the UK is not the best place to seek advice on such a condition and that a boxer in another country may have a contact for a cornea specialist who may be able to help. I think this condition is most common in people of African decent (Fundo was born in Malawi).

Fundo (pictured above with his European Middleweight Bronze Medal) is one of Scotland’s most promising amateur boxers and is held in genuine affection by all who know him. In spite of his standing at international level, Fundo is always there to help out at the club. He has time for everyone and even travels around the country with the young boxers to help them out in the corner as he is doing here with one of my sons. If you can ask around your gyms etc. it just might save the career of a promising and very well liked young boxer.

sockdolager · Post by **sockdolager** » 01 Aug 2007, 18:51

hmmm, I wonder do you know the cornea problem he has? I see a cornea specialist regularly for the cornea condition I have.

Here is information for you, this office (Boston MA, USA) specializes in Corneas...

Opthalmic Consultants of Boston

http://www.eyeboston.com

1-800-635-0489

I personally see Doctor Raizman for my eye disease called Keratoconus.

Ally · Post by **Ally** » 03 Aug 2007, 08:52

sockdolager wrote:hmmm, I wonder do you know the cornea problem he has? I see a cornea specialist regularly for the cornea condition I have.

Here is information for you, this office (Boston MA, USA) specializes in Corneas...

Opthalmic Consultants of Boston

http://www.eyeboston.com

1-800-635-0489

I personally see Doctor Raizman for my eye disease called Keratoconus.

Thanks for that

I will get in touch once I have more detail from Fundo after his next visit to ythe doc.

I came accross this headguard and would be interested in opinions. It looks like may prevent contact with the eyelids.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 05 Aug 2007, 22:43

Ally - the type of headgear you pictured would only be allowable if AIBA approved it - or the EABA approved it. I doubt seriously that it would be sanctioned for competitions.

How are you???? Long time no hear.

Ally · Post by **Ally** » 06 Aug 2007, 15:25

boxmel wrote:Ally - the type of headgear you pictured would only be allowable if AIBA approved it - or the EABA approved it. I doubt seriously that it would be sanctioned for competitions.

How are you???? Long time no hear.

Hello there! It has been a while, how are things with you? I am still plugging away in sunny Leith. We have two boxers training with the GB squad Stephen Simmons at heavyweight and Fundo at middleweight.

You are correct about the guard, this is for sparring only. Fundo has a condition that will heal if it is not constantly irritated. My thinking is that although he is getting the symptoms after bouts that most of the harm is being done in the weeks leading up to his bouts.

box411 · Post by **box411** » 12 Aug 2007, 02:58

this problem sounds very much like trichiasis, which causes scarring of the lids and thus the inturning of the lashes, which causes them to scrape against the cornea and scar it

maybe he could wear some contact lenses to protect the corneae?

I also don't see why simple lid surgery would carry a 50% blindness risk - this sounds like nonsense

just take him to another ophthalmologist

if you have any questions email me at: [email protected]

walshb · Post by **walshb** » 13 Aug 2007, 17:34

Ally wrote:
sockdolager wrote:hmmm, I wonder do you know the cornea problem he has? I see a cornea specialist regularly for the cornea condition I have.

Here is information for you, this office (Boston MA, USA) specializes in Corneas...

Opthalmic Consultants of Boston

http://www.eyeboston.com

1-800-635-0489

I personally see Doctor Raizman for my eye disease called Keratoconus.
Thanks for that

I will get in touch once I have more detail from Fundo after his next visit to ythe doc.

I came accross this headguard and would be interested in opinions. It looks like may prevent contact with the eyelids.

Not a hope he will be allowed that to use, unless of course his opponents are also allowed...

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 13 Aug 2007, 19:44

Walshb - ummm - I think Ally explained somewhere that the headguard shown is for sparring only, not competition.

walshb · Post by **walshb** » 14 Aug 2007, 10:09

boxmel wrote:Walshb - ummm - I think Ally explained somewhere that the headguard shown is for sparring only, not competition.

No way, are you serious

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 14 Aug 2007, 11:22

Walshb - Yep, I'm serious.

The following is from Ally:

You are correct about the guard, this is for sparring only.

She is also in Australia, not the U.S.