The infant son of Anaheim Ducks' star goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere and his wife, Kristen, underwent surgery Tuesday to correct a deformed right eye. The surgery was performed at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute, one of the few centers in the world that provide this type of surgery.
The child, Maxime Giguere, was born April 4 with a deformed right eye — a condition called persistent fetal vasculature syndrome — but his left eye is healthy. The two-hour reconstructive eye surgery was performed from the inside out.
"The surgery went extremely well and early signs are hopeful for a positive outcome," said Dr. Steven Schwartz, associate professor of ophthalmology and chief of the Jules Stein Eye Institute's Retina Division. Schwartz was the lead surgeon on the medical team.
"Oftentimes, people are given frightening medical news and feel hopeless," Schwartz added. "But this case illustrates that it is important to find expert pediatric eye care and get a second opinion."
Dr. Arthur Rosenbaum, the chief of pediatric ophthalmology at Jules Stein Eye Institute, made the diagnosis that gave the Gigueres hope.
"While Maxime was born with a serious eye problem in one eye, we have every reason to expect that he will be able to lead a full, happy and productive life," Rosenbaum said.
The Gigueres thanked Schwartz and Rosenbaum, as well as the doctors at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, Calif., for their "expert medical care."
"We also want to thank the entire Anaheim Ducks organization, specifically owners Henry and Susan Samuelis and general manager Brian Burke, for their overwhelming support during this process," the couple said.
Giguere, 30, recently led the Ducks to their first Stanley Cup Championship. Anaheim became the first team to win the Stanley Cup from the state of California with its 6-2 win over Ottawa in Game 5 on June 6. The Ducks won the series 4-1. In 2003, Giguere was awarded the National Hockey League's Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player in the playoffs.
The Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA is one of the world's top centers for the treatment of eye disease, vision-related research and ophthalmic education. Founded in 1966 by physician, businessman and philanthropist Dr. Jules Stein and his wife Doris Stein, the institute has trained thousands of residents and fellows, cared for millions of patients and contributed major advances to the field of vision research. Consistently ranked as the best eye care center in the West by U.S. News & World Report magazine, the institute will expand to a third facility in the near future. For more information, log onto .
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