LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – At FOX5, we take pride in delivering heartfelt updates on the stories that resonate deeply with our audience, just as strongly as they touch our hearts.
Among these stories is that of young Carter, a 7-year-old boy courageously battling lamellar ichthyosis, a rare skin condition that previously prevented him from closing his eyes, a challenge that captured the attention and compassion of people everywhere.
Thanks to the expertise of renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Bobby Korn and his dedicated team at UC San Diego, Carter is now able to close his eyes, following a remarkably intricate procedure that demonstrated exceptional skill and innovation.
Dr. Korn, who has performed hundreds of skin graft surgeries throughout his esteemed career, described Carter’s case as one unlike any he has encountered before, highlighting the unique nature of this extraordinary medical journey.
“We had no idea what to expect in a case like this,” Dr. Korn candidly shared with FOX5, emphasizing the unpredictability associated with such rare conditions.
Carter’s challenges stemmed from his condition, which causes his skin to not shed properly, leading to an abnormally tight and dry skin texture around his eyes that rendered it impossible for him to close them, consequently developing a secondary condition known as ectropion.
“It’s a really rare condition; these are cases where we see typically one or two in our entire career or lifetime,” explained Dr. Korn, underscoring the uniqueness of Carter’s situation.
Faced with the rarity of Carter’s condition, Dr. Korn found himself revisiting his medical textbooks to gather insights and information relevant to this complex case.
“What I had to do is go back to primary literature and see what could actually work,” Dr. Korn said, detailing his rigorous approach to find a viable surgical solution.
Eventually, he realized the potential of utilizing skin from another part of Carter’s body to create new eyelids, a groundbreaking approach that required thorough research and collaboration.
“I did research for an entire month, and being a big academic center, we have colleagues in areas and specialties,” Dr. Korn shared. “We helped plan this case together for this really special child.”
In addition to his medical preparation, Dr. Korn stayed informed about Carter’s journey through various media channels.
“I’ve been watching all the stories on FOX and keeping an eye on everything; it’s just so exciting to see all the stuff you have been doing,” Dr. Korn said, expressing admiration for the community support.
Crucially, it was the FOX5 community that rallied together to assist in covering Carter’s medical expenses for the life-changing surgery, exemplifying the power of collective efforts.
“Without the efforts you did to really help him, bring awareness to raise funds, we wouldn’t have ever met,” Dr. Korn conveyed with gratitude. “So you are as much a part of his operation and success as we are.”
The operation, which lasted three intense hours, culminated in an exhilarating moment for the entire team involved.
“I’ll tell you, after we got the graft and placed them on the eyelid, everyone in the room was giving each other high fives,” Dr. Korn recalled, marking the occasion as a victory for both the medical staff and Carter’s family.
Dr. Korn also expressed gratitude to Carter’s mother, Shai Bresee, who played a pivotal role by diligently researching similar cases and bringing critical information to his attention.
As Carter continues to heal, the skin graft performed on his eyelids is expected to endure for approximately ten years, although this timeline hinges on how his skin develops as he grows.
To ensure ongoing care and monitoring, Carter will maintain follow-up appointments with Dr. Korn in San Diego, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his courageous journey.
**Interview with Dr. Bobby Korn, Ophthalmologist at UC San Diego**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Korn! It’s a pleasure to have you here. Your work with young Carter is truly inspiring. Can you start by telling us a little bit about Carter’s condition, lamellar ichthyosis?
**Dr. Korn:** Thank you for having me! Carter’s case is indeed unique. Lamellar ichthyosis is a rare genetic skin condition that results in the skin not shedding properly, leading to a very tight and dry texture around the eyes. This often leads to additional issues, such as ectropion, where the eyelids turn outward, preventing him from closing his eyes completely.
**Host:** That must have been a challenging situation for him. How did you approach such an intricate surgery?
**Dr. Korn:** When I first encountered Carter’s case, I realized I was dealing with something I had never experienced before. The rarity of his condition meant that traditional approaches weren’t enough. I had to go back to the literature to refresh my knowledge and explore potential surgical solutions. It was a rigorous process that involved a lot of collaboration with my colleagues here at the academic center.
**Host:** Collaboration sounds vital. What innovative techniques did you use in this surgery?
**Dr. Korn:** We decided to use a technique that involved skin grafting from another area of Carter’s body to create new eyelids. This required meticulous planning and research to ensure it was viable while considering Carter’s unique anatomy and condition. It took us about a month to prepare for the surgery, but it was worth every minute to help this special child.
**Host:** How did you feel once the surgery was completed and you saw the results?
**Dr. Korn:** Seeing Carter able to close his eyes for the first time was incredibly emotional. It felt like a major victory not just for him, but for everyone involved in his care. Knowing that we made a difference in his life has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
**Host:** That’s truly remarkable. What’s next for Carter following this surgery?
**Dr. Korn:** Post-surgery, Carter will continue to have follow-up appointments to monitor his recovery and ensure that the new eyelids are functioning as they should. We’ll also provide ongoing care to manage his lamellar ichthyosis and any other related issues that may arise.
**Host:** Thank you so much, Dr. Korn, for sharing this wonderful story with us. It’s a testament to the power of innovative medicine and compassionate care.
**Dr. Korn:** Thank you for having me. It’s really important to raise awareness about rare conditions like Carter’s, and together, we can make a difference.
