Help Save Nico’s Eyes

Nico Heyns: a husband, father and recently grandfather had his whole life thrown upside down when he recently lost 80% of his vision. He went from being a fit 69-year-old running his own small business, working in the garden every weekend and having regular walks to being fully dependant on his wife, Sandra, to support him in daily tasks.

The loss of vision resulted from medication that was prescribed to him by his cardiologist to regulate a slightly irregular heart beat that occurred at times.The medication was prescribed to him in January 2017 and the doctor did not make him aware of the side effects that the medication can have at that time. During November 2017 he realised that the vision from his right eye was very poor and immediately visited an optometrist that informed him that he needs to see an ophthalmologist to have in depth tests done, which he did in November 2017. The ophthalmologist diagnosed and referred him to his cardiologist as the cause was unknown. He visited his cardiologist in December 2017 who told him he cannot find anything wrong. He then visited another two ophthalmologists respectively both who confirmed his condition but offered no solution. During this time the left eye had no issues and was still perfect in January 2018. This however changed very quickly and the left eye started deteriorating quickly thereafter.

In February 2018 he saw a fourth ophthalmologist who finally established that the problem was caused by the medication that contains Amiodarone that was prescribed to him by the cardiologist. This ingredient has an extensive list of side effects that includes blindness in some cases. No solution could be offered to him as his optic nerves have been damaged and no cure exists in South Africa.

However, being determined to find a solution and try and restore his life he started looking for solutions and then came across the “Fedorov Clinic for Vision Restoration” in Berlin, Germany. After numerous tests they have informed him that he is a candidate for the treatment and need to come as soon as possible.

The cost of the treatment is 5500 euros, which excludes travel and accommodation that costs a further 2500 Euros. The medical aid does not cover any costs and everything needs to be covered by him alone. He has been able to secure a booking for December 2018 and is determined to make it there.

Please help Nico to get treatment and regain sight so that he can enjoy his life the way he used to.