Jennifer Matthews: Sam Clanton is a tough 3-year-old. He was born with Peter's Anomaly -- a disease marked by distorted corneas -- that left him blind.
Yvonne Clanton: When he opened his eyes, we saw that there was just something terribly wrong.
Jennifer Matthews: Searching for help, Sam's parents found James Aquavella, at the University of Rochester 1300 miles from their Tampa home.
Dr. James Aquavella: I think there's every reason to give these children a chance if you possibly can.
Jennifer Matthews: After 40 years of research, he's giving kids that chance by restoring their sight with plastic artificial corneas.
Dr. James Aquavella: These devices behave and provide the pristine quality of optics as good as, if not better than, the normal eye.
Jennifer Matthews: First, doctors clear away the cloudy and diseased tissue. Then, a plastic cornea is sewn onto the eye.
Dr. James Aquavella: That then provides a clear image that gets focused onto the back of the eye, like the image that gets focused onto the back of your digital camera.
Jennifer Matthews: The implant has been used in adults for a few years but was never tried in kids. Aquavella was the first in the world to try it and has treated 45 children. Nearly all have regained sight to various degrees and are doing fine.
Dr. James Aquavella: You never know when the breakthrough is going to come through.
Jennifer Matthews: Just two days after Sam's surgery, he can see well enough to walk directly to his toys. It's a dramatic first.
Yvonne Clanton: Just to have hope is just wonderful. It was beyond wonderful. It was really like a miracle.
Jennifer Matthews: Though Sam may never see 20-20, he will see this smiles on these faces and on his own. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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