The Maxs Lens/Dr. Cantrell

Dr. Steven D. Cantrell

Steven D. Cantrell earned his doctor of optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry. He has been practicing in Saint Louis for over 30 years.

History of Cantrell Eyecare

Cantrell Eye Care started out over 30 years ago in a South Saint Louis neighborhood known as Dutchtown. Serving the eye care needs of clients from every corner of Saint Louis is the joy of Dr. Steven D. Cantrell.

The office on S. Grand had the distinction of being near Saint Louis landmarks including Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. However, the aging building could not keep pace with the technology needs. In early 2015, Cantrell Eye Care relocated to 7511 Big Bend Blvd. in Webster Groves.

The Max Lens

The “Max lens” a contact lens created by Dr. Cantrell, will enable patients to progress from wearing the Zeiss Z1 Cobalt Blue lens (developed in Italy) to contacts.

Goal is to reduce seizure activity. To make life more comfortable. All patients are uniquely different. Patients have 400-600 episodes/daily. Continue to function involuntarily.

• Contact lens eliminated seizures in photosensitive epilepsy.
• Lens – is a blended filter and wavelengths.
• Blue Tech lens may reduce seizure activity to zero. Improved EEG.

Dr. Cantrell’s Email

Dear Elisa and Jeff,

OHHHH am I embarrassed.  I had sent a note and ended up in my drafts…ARGH..

I can’t begin to express how much Max and you both have meant to me, Peggy and Donna.  Peggy and I are special needs parents.  Our son Ryan was born with Trisomy 18 and lived 8.5 months.  We were on our backs, out of our minds and couldn’t breathe countless times during his amazing experience.  Jeff, when you and Max were in the office I could feel the energy looking for answers and I wasn’t sure?  The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and Max was a huge leap!   It was so much fun Zooming with Max and looking into his eyes and seeing a complete handsome young man wanting to succeed.  And of course my goal was to get him to crack a smile.  Our son Ryan was developmentally disabled and had so many challenges but I recognized that his whole being was there.  The parts might not be working like we want but he was fully there. 

Please send us a picture of Max to frame for our office.  Every so often we all have mountain top experiences and Max was one of mine. 

Thank you for sending Max’s supplies back and I want to share how Max lives on.  We are believers and know everything has a purpose even when we can’t see it clearly.  A friend and patient for years reached out, having received an email from a large group looking for help.  A missionary and his family had to return to St. Louis from Thailand when his 12 year old Addie began having seizures.  Our local hospital decided the answer was to remove half of her vision center in the Occipital lobe.  She lost half her visual field but is a happy and healthy kid.  She still has flashes and trouble.  As Missionaries, on a tight budget they did not have the resources.  So we began to put our heads together and, by no coincidence Max’s lenses arrived.  Pictured below is Addie, the cute one in the middle and her Dad.  Matt’s first questions when we met was: “How are we here again and who told you”?  I have not shared Max’s story but with your permission I would like to share Max and you all with them and how this is all woven into this very colorful fabric.

One other huge request.  Again, with your permission I would like to permanently name the Sunflower lens:  “The Max”  So we continue to honor our friend and hero..

We are about to connect again with Dr. Thiele and her staff to begin to open up a new team of scientists to find an answer.   Can you imagine?  Max is a big part of this.  I think I mentioned to Max when he was in the office that I considered him part of the scientific team and a pioneer.  

So again please forgive me for not connecting sooner and know Max will forever be in our hearts.  

Very best wishes to you both and I hope we can stay in touch as this journey continues.

Blessings and Thank You!