Debra Bowes led a fairly normal life for the first two decades of her life. Then came the fire- and the heat and flames that caused severe burning over more than 80 percent of her body.

The fire’s flames were incredibly intense and disfiguring. The burns Debra received were so severe that she literally has no ears of nose. In addition, her hands were completely burned off.

Her beautiful physique was incredibly scarred, but her inner strength has never waned. And, it’s this internal drive that has sustained her throughout these more trying times. At the time she was wounded, Debra was the most-burned person in San Diego county to survive such extreme injuries. And, the operations she has endured since then have been numerous, each repairing a portion of the damage caused.

All of the surgeries Debra has undergone were deemed medically necessary by her health insurance company- until now.

Although Debra cannot comfortably wear glasses (and has great difficulty inserting contact lenses into her eyes using only her forearms), insurance companies view laser vision correction surgery as optional.

Down-up LASIK is a fantastic new eye procedure that will greatly benefit Debra’s lifestyle. The surgery will help her better see the pages of the text books she studies to receive her bachelor’s degree in computer science. Perhaps most of all, it will allow her to continue down the path of becoming completely independent and able to care for herself.

Down-up Lasik that will make it possible for Debra to never have to wear glasses again. LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) involves using a blade to create a thin layer of the cornea, forming a flap that is replaced after the tissue below it has been reshaped by an excimer laser.

Recent technological developments have resulted in the creation of a more advanced tool called the Hansatome microkeratome, which moves in an up-sown motion. Previously, the flap was sliced horizontally across the eye (corner to corner). With the horizontal hinge, there is a small chance the flap will be dislodged each time a person blinks since the motion is in the opposite direction of the hinge. The Hansatome alleviates this possibility.

Down-up LASIK is performed as an outpatient procedure. The laser sculpts the cornea in less than 60 seconds and the entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes. Because patient’s eyes must heal only around the flap after the surgery, they are often able to maintain normal activities within hours.

Down-up LASIK surgery is the perfect solution to Debra’s difficulties with vision correction lenses. For other similar situations as Debra or who are no longer able to wear contacts or glasses for a different reason, Down-up LASIK may be the only answer for which they’ve been looking.

Numerous health-care problems can be overcome with laser vision correction. Contact lenses may cause corneal damage from infections, ulcers, swelling due to lens overwear and chronic allergic reaction known as GPC. These potentially sight-threatening health risks are eliminated following successful laser vision correction.

Even though Debra no longer is physically the same, inside she is still strong and beautiful as ever. The fire made her a victim once, but absolutely refuses to play the role of the victim for a lifetime.

Since her health insurance company won’t pay for the surgery, San Diego Eye Center and San Diego Eye Bank have stepped forward to donate their services and give Debra the 20/20 clarity of vision she’s capable of having.