- Torres began losing her sight at 18 years old due to retinitis pigmentosa, becoming completely blind by the age of 45.
- Last year, Torres underwent a surgery to install the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, a complicated procedure that was the first of its kind in Florida. The system, approved in 2013, has only been implanted on about 100 patients worldwide so far.
- Torres compared the bionic eye’s visuals to learning a new language, but is now able to play with her grandson, navigate sidewalks and buildings, and even see the stars.