A cornea transplant has changed Mandy Patinkin's outlook on life. Mandy was wearing shades at the Tony awards, but it wasn't to be cool. You heard him reveal to a startled audience that he had just recieved a cornea transplant from a deceased donor.
Mandy had been battling the progressive eye disease, keratoconus for 15 years. Although he'd been told his corneas could burst, leaving him blind, he believed the special contacts he wore would suffice. Then, one terrifying night in Los Angeles while he was shooting last May's season finale of "Chicago Hope"..."I was driving down the street when something got in my eye," he recalls. "Both eyes slammed shut, and I prayed I could make it to the curb." His sight returned a half hour later. This time, the doctors said, it's time for surgery.
More than a month after his first operation, Patinkin sees better than ever. "The old way was like looking through a windshield on a very stormy night." He adds, "I have a 13 year old boy's eye, and I'll pray for him for the rest of my life" He's also grateful that the eyes of his own boys - Issac and Gideon, have tested fine. Mandy urges the donation of organs, especially corneas. "It's just a miracle," says Mandy, "a gift from God"
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