Recently featured on TODAY, Dr. Ken Beckman of the Columbus Eye Surgery Center treated a teen with a rare eye condition after years of misdiagnosis. Charlie Diehl was diagnosed with Keratoconus, a degenerative eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and form a cone shape. The disease only occurs in about one out of every 2,000 people.
As the disease is hard to detect, Charlie had been misdiagnosed since the age of five. After ongoing issues with his vision at school, Charlie’s family sought the help of Beckman. Beckman identified the diseases and recommended Charlie, age 16 at this point, undergo a corneal cross-linking procedure. Cross-linking uses ultraviolet light and drops to build up the cornea.
Charlie’s vision has improved, and he is no longer wearing contact lens or glasses. He is now a freshman at Ohio State University.
Learn more about Charlie’s story and treatment with Beckham on today.com.