Medical mystery: Woman's 13 year battle with eyes that constantly clamping shut
A Melbourne woman whose eyes clamp shut for days at a time has baffled specialists around the world.
Despite numerous surgeries and no medical explanation, Natalie Adler is remarkably positive experts will one day find a cure.
"I don't have an overall diagnosis," she told 7 News.
Her battle began at age 17 when she woke with swollen eyes.
"They just developed into this random cycle where they would spasm shut for three days then open for three days," she said.
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The 30-year-old has undergone several unsuccessful surgeries for her unique condition and is now classified as legally blind after she had 99 per cent of the muscles removed from her eyelids.
Ms Adler also has to take 23 tablets a day to manage a host of other unexplained medical issues including a paralysed stomach.
"It's just a daily battle," she said.
Constant botox now keeps her eyes partly open but random blindness still occurs once a month.
Her condition has baffled 40 specialists.
"It's hard. We're trained to look for an answer. It's certaintly a team effort. At various times I've had close contact with her neurologist and cardiologist," Dr Mark Berzsenyl said.
Ms Adler said she still remains positive, thanks to her husband Daniel.
"He's my knight in shining armour. He's brought me back from the brink," she said.
Mr Adler said her "illness doesn't define her".
She said she now hopes to find someone to tell her story to help others who also suffer from unexplained illnesses.
"I would love to write a book and share my story," she said.
"I never lose hope because I just can't - That's not the person I am."
It's hoped a new genetic research program Ms Adler has just been accepted into at the Royal Melbourne Hospital may finally solve the mystery.
