MTN DMV Spotlight: Kayla Corbett’s cornea transplant changes her life

Kayla Corbett is a Tag Office Supervisor at the Sedgwick County Auto Licensing department in Wichita, Kansas. She shares her story about how a cornea transplant changed her life.

She started to notice a change in her vision when she was in college. Kayla Corbett was 25 when she was diagnosed with Keratoconus in her right eye. It’s an eye disease that causes the cornea to become thin and bulge into a cone shape and leads to blurred and distorted vision. Her doctor said she may one day need a cornea transplant.

“At that time, I thought ‘It’s not that bad,’” said Kayla. “I’ll never have to worry about a transplant or anything.”

But her vision would decline with time. She experienced continual headaches at her job in a school district. Reading to students throughout the school day caused eye strain.

Time passed, and 25 years later, it was 2018. Kayla’s vision had decreased to the point of being legally blind in her right eye. She thought she was too old to have a cornea transplant but found hope in a conversation with her doctor. He assured Kayla that her age would not matter when it was time for the cornea transplant.

A range of emotions

She was terrified when it was time for the surgery. Kayla traveled several hours across Kansas to a doctor in Overland Park. She found herself more relaxed with the procedure once she was settled in and encouraged by the medical staff. Within an hour, the procedure was complete. Her recovery would take less than a week.

The surgery was life-changing for Kayla. She was thrilled with the results of her cornea transplant. “I noticed the changes right away. It was spring and everything was so bright and green.”

Her life improved in many other ways. Spending time with her family was at the top of Kayla’s list of treasured activities. A much-loved hobby of photographing old barns and buildings in black and white also became more focused. “I was able to take a photo of a certain part of the barn with all the details rather than a shot of the entire building.”

Grateful beyond words

Kayla hasn’t connected with the family of her donor hero and is grateful when she says, “I like the word hero because I have a hero that I can’t thank enough. Every day I thank them because I can see. I can play catch with my nieces and nephews. I can go to places I couldn’t before. I can see and that is great.”

Becoming a stronger person throughout this process seems natural for Kayla. She has immense pride in her work and said, “I couldn’t do this job without having had the surgery.”

A new mission

Kayla was familiar with the positive impact of tissue donation after her nephew experienced skin burns. “He received skin grafts that helped him heal more quickly.”

Kayla shares her experience with enthusiasm. “I share my story whenever I can. When Jessica from MTN in Kansas City comes to our office in Wichita, people are always asking questions. I can say that I’m here at this job because of a generous donor hero.”

Our partners 

Midwest Transplant Network values our partnerships with DMV, licensing, treasury and Department of Revenue offices in Kansas and Missouri. More individuals can become organ, eye and tissue donors when they say “yes” to the state donor registry at the DMV. According to Donate Life America, 98% of registered donors join the donor registry through their local driver’s license office.