Belize Boy Travels to Baltimore to Receive Life-Changing Eye Treatment

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--At just 2-years-old he is facing a battle that could affect the rest of his life.

Born in Belize, 3-months premature, George Garcia has faced many medical issues-- the latest -- leading his family to doctors right here in Baltimore to attempt to correct is eye sight issues.

He is your normal 2-year-old full life, energy and laughter.

But life has not been so easy for George.

"We have been to Guatemala for the first surgery; he got a cataract removed," said his mother, Maria Garcia. "And then the second surgery was in Mexico. That one was to remove some dry blood that was in his eye that was causing swelling."

In Belize, George was born at just 1 pound and 4 ounces. He spent 11 months in intensive care, underwent his first surgery within his first month of life for a testicular hernia.

Now, his family is here in Baltimore meeting with doctors at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.

"Those blood vessels don't grow correctly and can bleed and pull on the retina and lead to retinal detachment," said Doctor Adam Wenick, with Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.

Maria says George's Baltimore visit was a dream come true.

"We had actually been praying about this for a very long, for god to open up doors for our son. He used Mr. Steve to come visit my father's church, he's a pastor in Belize," said Maria.

"Seeing their conditions in Belize and where they were, and coming up here and seeing them here in the best facility in the world and having them by our side, it was really neat to see that happen this morning," said Steve Shuart, who hosted George's family.

Shuart and others help the family get Visas and even with raise money for this visit with doctors.

Now, doctors are only examining little George to see what can be done in his case, but his family says it's a step to a life they've always wanted for their son.

Doctors will do a more thorough examination of George's eyes while under anesthesia on Friday. They don't anticipate surgery to make improvements in George's eye sight in his right eye.

To learn how you can help George CLICK HERE.