When Chase Johansson was born, his primary care physician quickly noticed something unusual about his left eye. At just 12 days old, Chase’s mother took him to the W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, where doctors diagnosed him with microphthalmia (underdeveloped eye), persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) in his left eye, and a severe congenital cataract threatening his eyesight. This urgent diagnosis meant Chase needed immediate, complex surgery. Before he was a month old, he underwent an extracapsular cataract extraction and anterior vitrectomy, made more challenging by the small size of his eye.
After surgery, Chase needed a special contact lens to save the sight in his left eye. Without it, he would have lost vision permanently. Several times a week, his mother carefully put in the lens and gave him eye drops, following a routine to keep everything clean and safe. She also patched his healthy eye for hours, helping his weaker eye get stronger.
Chase did not face just one difficult operation; subsequently, he underwent two additional eye surgeries at six months and age four, each performed by Dr. Monte A. Del Monte, active emeritus professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences and emeritus professor of pediatrics and communicable diseases.
These efforts and expert care paid off. Despite the ongoing challenge of managing his contact lens, Chase overcame adversity.
Today, Chase is an 18-year-old University of Michigan student with nearly 20/20 vision in each eye (with a combination of his specialized contact lens and glasses), a virtually unheard-of outcome thanks to the dedication of his care team at Kellogg, including Dr. Del Monte, and Dr. Adam B. Jacobson, assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences.
“Chase and his mother’s persistent care prove that early complex surgery, proper contact lens wear, and part-time patching can yield amazing visual results even in an underdeveloped eye,” said Dr. Del Monte. “But Chase wouldn’t have the vision he has today without his mother’s commitment and persistence. She followed every instruction perfectly throughout infancy and childhood, and she is a large reason for Chase’s outcome.”
Chase’s experiences at Kellogg shaped his ambitions. In his University of Michigan application essay, he described cataloging fish in the Kellogg aquarium during appointments at his “second home,” and shared how both the natural world and his life-changing treatment influenced his decision to pursue biology at U-M and possibly a career in medical research or biotechnology.
Now as an undergraduate student, Chase hopes to work with mentors such as Dr. Lev Prasov, who leads the Wadhams Family Center for Children’s Vision. Established by Timothy and Laurie Wadhams, this center supports research and helps children like Chase facing complex ocular conditions.
"It has been an honor getting to know Chase and his mother over the past six years,” said Dr. Jacobson. “His journey really exemplifies the strength in interdisciplinary care that exists at Kellogg.
Gratitude moved Chase’s mom to support the center. “We are forever grateful for the care provided by the Kellogg Eye Center,” she said. “Drs. Del Monte, Jacobson and Foster are truly remarkable, not only in their expertise but in their genuine compassion and concern as well. I can’t thank this entire group enough: the clinic, optical shop, staff, everyone. The care we have received is a true blessing; we praise God for Chase’s outcome.”
Chase’s journey reflects the extraordinary impact of pediatric vision research and care at Kellogg, where science and compassion come together to change lives. After visiting Dr. Prasov’s laboratory, he reflected, “It gave me a new perspective; through university research programs, I could be involved in helping children,” said Chase. “All roads, for me, it seems, lead back to Kellogg.”
This Giving Blueday, your support for the Wadhams Family Center for Children’s Vision will help more families find hope, healing, and brighter futures, just as Chase did.
Your gift at any level helps protect a child’s sight and shapes the future of pediatric vision care.
How your gift can make a difference:
- $25 helps provide essential supplies for pediatric vision research
- $50 supports training and mentorship for early-career scientists
- $100 advances clinical coordination and patient-focused research
- $250+ strengthens laboratory and genetic discovery efforts
- $1,000+ supports advanced tools and technology that bring us closer to sight-saving breakthroughs for young patients
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