From Blurry to Clear: Colleen’s Path to Diagnosis

In February 2024, New Jersey Special Olympics athlete Colleen Ciecura suffered from persistent eye discomfort: itching, dryness and blurred double vision. Everyday pleasures such as reading, exercising, watching TV and enjoying hobbies became tiring and overwhelming.

Colleen went to appointments hoping someone could make sense of it, but most visits left her without an answer. Many doctors attributed her symptoms to allergies or minor problems, without offering a clear explanation or relief. As Colleen recalled, “I was halfway through my third script and I called the office and said, ‘This isn’t working. My vision is getting worse—it’s double sometimes, and sometimes my eye hurts a little. I can’t read anymore.’ And they kept saying the same thing.”

Everything changed when Colleen competed in the Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games in June 2024 and the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes® Foundationthe discipline of eye care Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®. Opening Eyes provides free non-dilated vision screenings, eye health assessments, prescription eyewear and health education to Special Olympics athletes and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Photo by Laura Contini De Franco

During the Opening Eyes screening, Colleen retold her story. But this time it was different. The doctors and volunteers listened attentively. They examined her eyes and immediately made important notes: a drooping eyelid, misalignment of her eyes and her body language suggested this was more than irritation.

Dr. Roheena Malik, an optometrist and clinical director of Special Olympics New Jersey, remembers Colleen making a simple statement: “When Colleen shared her struggles, she wanted to make sure she wasn’t imagining it, and that it wasn’t ‘just in her head.’ Her symptoms were real, and we recognized those symptoms in the exam chair, which led to our referral to a specialist.”

Colleen was then referred to the local neuro-ophthalmologist to continue her care after the screening. After all the overview research, she finally received a diagnosis. Colleen was diagnosed with ocular myasthenia gravis, a rare and chronic autoimmune disease that causes varying degrees of weakness in the skeletal muscles, which can often affect the muscles that control the eyes and eyelids. Finally, there was an explanation for the heavy, drooping eyelid and double vision that disrupted her daily routines.

With the right treatment, Colleen was able to find relief. The blurry and double images gradually became easier to manage. She no longer felt irritation and discomfort and said, “I can finally feel like myself again.” “I am very grateful for programs like Opening Eyes,” Colleen added. “They listened to me, believed me and helped me get the care that best suits me. Now I feel like I can continue doing the things I love.”

For Colleen, this change was about more than just seeing clearly. It was about rebuilding her confidence to enjoy her hobbies, get back to exercising with her friends, and fully participate in her community. It also confirmed that what she was experiencing was real and that she was not alone in facing issues related to her vision.

“Vision is life”

Colleen’s story echoes the stories of many other Special Olympics athletes and highlights why programs like Opening Eyes are so important. Opening Eyes screenings have found that a large percentage of US Special Olympics athletes have vision and eye health issues, including: 20% have an ocular health condition and 68% need a new prescription or replacement glasses.

Programs like Opening Eyes help bridge the healthcare gap by offering athletes free health screenings while promoting dignity and hope. “Vision is life,” stated Dr. Malik. “When we help someone see clearly, we don’t just improve their vision; we open doors so they can thrive, whether in hobbies, work, relationships or community.”

Seeing the big picture

In honor of World Sight Day, Colleen’s experience highlights a powerful truth: vision health is essential, not a luxury. It plays a crucial role in enabling participation, independence and joy in life.

For individuals with IDD, access to care can mean the difference between dealing with internal challenges to maintaining vision and being fully engaged in life. Special Olympics embodies its own message: “It’s not who we are, it’s what we do.”

Colleen’s journey embodies every word of that message. Her story reflects resilience, hope and recovery through care, allowing her to be truly heard and understood. Today, Colleen not only sees more clearly, but she also perceives the intricate beauty of everything around her. Now that her world is back in focus, Colleen’s daily joy becomes possible again.