After a few joyful years of retirement, Yvette Crawley noticed her world growing darker. She was diagnosed with macular telangiectasia type 2, or MacTel, a rare retinal disorder that causes slow, progressive vision loss.

For Crawley, who loves camping trips with Triela, her Bichon/Yorkie mix, the diagnosis brought fears of losing her independence and the ability to drive, explore, and stay active in her community.

For years, there was no treatment for MacTel. That changed in March 2025, when the FDA approved a new therapy following clinical trials that included Duke.

Soon after, specialists at the Duke Eye Center implanted a tiny capsule—about the size of a grain of rice — into Crawley’s eye, a procedure that significantly slowed the degeneration of her vision. It was the first time the treatment had been performed at an academic medical center, and the first in the state and region.

The care Crawley received reflects Duke’s role in advancing research from clinical trials to patient care, translating scientific discovery into real‑world impact.

“The ability to pivot, to make choices, to continue to grow regardless of what my age is — I do not want limitations,” Crawley said. “This empowers me to make whatever choices I want in my retirement.”